BIG SUR – With an estimated late autumn full opening of Highway 1 from Carmel to Cambria on the horizon, Caltrans continues to make progress at three repair sites in Monterey County along the Big Sur coast.
Even with an 11-mile section of closed roadway in the repair zone where work continues seven days a week, the rest of Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast is open to unrestricted public access. Caltrans reminds travelers to take advantage of all Big Sur has to offer as those coming from the north can travel down as far as Lime Creek just pass Esalen Institute, and people coming from the south can travel up to as far as Limekiln State Park.
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Though repairs at the northernmost Dolan Point Slide – post mile 29.5 – are expected to be completed by early summer, it will not result in an adjustment to the turnaround point at Lime Creek. The slide, which activated on March 8, has seen a top-down removal of slide material and the reduction of rocks by blasting crews and double twist cable mesh has been installed along the face of the slope, according to Caltrans. Crews are working to connect the seams of dozens of 150-foot lengths of mesh which were lifted in place by helicopter. The mesh will add an additional layer of protection to the highway below the slope.
Regent’s Slide – post mile 27.8 – which Caltrans said was activated on March 9, started seeing top-down removal of slide material by crews on April 30, and is the last of the slides that will be completed due to its challenging conditions associated with the extreme slope at the site. Repairs are slated to be completed by late fall and will open up Highway 1 to direct travel between Carmel and Cambria.
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Crews are using bulldozers at the top of Regent’s Slide with smaller and more nimble spider excavators working material down the slope. Caltrans said the slide extends about 450 feet above the roadway, covers Highway 1, and continues down to the shore below. Due to the severe slope, the spider excavators, which are designed to negotiate steep terrain, need to be tied to and anchored by the bulldozers above them. Crews recently had to suspend work entirely for five days due to movement in the slope uphill of the repairs, but were able to resume debris removal work soon after. The steep slope at the site will require repair work to continue with due deliberation and caution.
According to Caltrans, the repair work is complex and at some point will include rock material reduction by blasting crews. There is no bicycle or pedestrian access on Highway 1 through Regent’s Slide due to its ongoing activity, steep slope and unstable material across the roadway.
The southernmost Paul’s Slide – post mile 22 – is also the oldest of the three slides, activated Jan. 14, 2023 and is expected to be completed by late summer, Caltrans said. Crews have started installation of four major culverts at the site, completed final surveys for the new alignment of the roadway, and begun to install the base material at the northern section of the repair. Crews continue to monitor and address slide activity above the repairs. Once repairs are completed, the current turnaround point at Limekiln State Park will move north and provide direct access to the Camaldoli Hermitage and the community of Lucia.
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.
