BIG SUR – A bit of California's scenic Highway 1 that results in the famous Big Sur coast reopened to 24-hour traffic Friday after a storm-triggered rock slide that affected a portion of a lane stabilized thrown into the ocean and hindered tourism.
The gap still must be closed, but after steel and concrete were built into the cliff, a short lived signaling system was activated to permit alternating north-south traffic within the undamaged lane, in response to the California Department of Transportation.
The reopening took place eight days sooner than planned and in time for summer travel.
“Highway 1 is the jewel of California’s highway system and our teams have worked nonstop over the past month and a half to ensure Californians have full access to this iconic area of our state,” Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said in a press release this week.
Big Sur is a 90-mile stretch of the state's central coast where misty, forested mountains rise from the ocean. Much of the highway sits high on cliffs and offers breathtaking views.
After heavy rains, a March 30 rockfall south of Monterey caused about 6 feet (nearly 2 meters) of southbound roadway and a retaining wall supporting the highway to fall about 170 feet (52 meters) into the ocean below fell.
Caltrans determined the opposite lane was usable, but traffic was limited to twice-daily convoys out and in of Big Sur. Initially, only residents and essential employees were allowed to hitch the convoys. Each time, a crane needed to be removed to make room for the convoys, said Kevin Drabinski, a Caltrans spokesman.
In April, Kirk Gafill, president of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, told the San Francisco Chronicle that total losses by Big Sur businesses for the reason that collapse were greater than $1 million a day.
Permanent repairs to the highway are being planned and are expected to be accomplished in spring 2025, Caltrans said.
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