Sherman Access closed after rock slide

The Sherman Access will be closed for two days as city crews investigate a small-scale rock slide that damaged a vehicle.

The city is assessing the situation to determine what caused the slide.

This is the third slide this year severe enough to completely close an access road to the mountain, said Darrell Smith, manager of road operations and maintenance.

It's unfortunate, and an inconvenience, but it's “Mother Nature doing her work,” he said.

“We didn't build the escarpment, but we did build around the escarpment,” he said. “It moves, and it moves by shedding rocks. That's a natural function that nobody's ever going to change.”

A vehicle was hit by the rock slide, which happened early Wednesday evening. The roadway is closed in both directions from the Sherman Cut to the Kenilworth Access.

“We realize it's an inconvenience for people, but obviously public safety outweighs the convenience. We want to make sure it's safe before we open it up to the public,” he said.

A rock slide closed the Claremont Access in February. A lane there is still closed as a precaution while the city continues work on the area, Smith said.

The Sherman access was closed in March due to a slide.

“It's been a busy year,” Smith said.