Bishop Creek Road Alert: SR-168 West Pole Replacement Near Aspendell Planned October 28

BISHOP CREEK / ASPENDELL, INYO COUNTY — October 22, 2026. Drivers heading west from Bishop toward Bishop Creek and the mountain communities should note a one-day utility-work window next week. According to Caltrans District 9, crews plan to replace poles along State Route 168 West from Reservoir Road to South Lake Road, near Aspendell, on Wednesday, October 28.

Scheduled hours and delays

The agency lists the work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with one-way traffic control. Motorists may experience delays of approximately five minutes. This is a scheduled utility-pole replacement activity, not evidence of a power outage, a downed pole or a highway-wide closure.

Why an eight-hour window matters

A short rolling traffic stop can still matter to residents, delivery operators and hikers trying to reach trailheads before afternoon weather develops. Caltrans’ timing describes when the work is planned; the actual wait at a particular location may be shorter, longer or absent depending on when the traveler arrives.

SR-168 branches into high-elevation roads, and October weather can affect mountain access independently of pole replacement. A construction schedule on a state route does not guarantee that every side road or recreation site is open. For conditions at national forest facilities, check the appropriate land manager as well as highway information.

Distinguish this from Bishop’s US-395 work

Several projects will occur around Bishop next week, including pavement/striping on US-395 and West Line Street and construction on a temporary roundabout at US-6 and Wye Road. Neither project is the same as the Wednesday pole work near Aspendell. Drivers should follow the route-specific notices to avoid assuming one restriction applies to all approaches.

Where this information comes from

The precise work zone and scheduled dates are from the Caltrans District 9 traffic bulletin dated October 22, 2026, covering the week of October 26–30. The bulletin is a plan, not a real-time closure notice. Road conditions, start times and closures may change due to storms, incidents and equipment. Before leaving, check Caltrans QuickMap or the state highway condition line 1-800-427-7623. Slow for workers and respect all temporary signs.

Local editor’s note: This report does not claim eyewitness verification or a current full road closure. Corrections with documentation can be sent to california58com@gmail.com.

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