MONTEREY COUNTY — Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast has completely reopened as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Caltrans announced.
“Initial progress on clearing and repair of the rockfall system at Cow Cliffs (PM 28.2) and slide and debris removal at Paul’s Slide (PM 22), have advanced to a point where crews can effect these repairs with the roadway fully reopened,” Caltrans stated in a news release.
Travelers should expect traffic control at these locations until 5 p.m. Wednesday, and during daylight hours for the next several days, as crews continue emergency repairs to prepare for next week’s storms.
Caltrans entered into a $1.3 million emergency contract on Dec. 14 with Papich Construction to complete this roadwork.
A full closure of Highway 1, extending from Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County to Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn in Monterey County (44.6 miles), began Dec. 12 in support of a Monterey County evacuation warning and at the request of the California Highway Patrol in advance of a forecasted storm event.
The closure was continued as crews assessed damage from the storm, which brought rains of up to 12 inches in 24 hours at some mountain peaks.
“Travelers are reminded to give themselves extra time when driving this winter and to take into account weather conditions, especially when traveling on this scenic byway,” Caltrans added.
