Highway 1 open to local traffic only until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday
UPDATE 1/10/17 5:17 PM: Highway 1 is still closed after heavy rain and wind caused several slides in the area.
Local residents were given two chances to safely pass through before it closed overnight.
We went to Big Sur near Fernwood where Caltrans crews are working to clear the road.
The closure affected tourists and locals alike. Tourist Secily was supposed to go back to her home in Portland before the storm and slides forced her to stay in the area. “I stayed an extra day, rebooked and was coming right through and 10 minutes before I was going to make it through the landslide came so it’s cut me off” Secily said. Big Sur businesses have also taken a hit due to the highway closure. Rick Aldinger manages Big Sur River Inn. He says that the storm itself didn’t cause much damage to the property, but the closure has limited access to customers “We have guests staying with us you know, we’re here, we’re open, we’re available” said Aldinger. “But, it’s slow when people can’t drive through Big Sur down to L.A. or wherever their ultimate destination is. It certainly slows the traffic down.” Caltrans says there are still active slides that they are at work clearing. We were there as crews let locals and tourists hoping to get out of the area through the road. At around 1 PM, Caltrans crews were only able to open one lane. Temporary relief for those stranded due to the slide. Though they’re at work around the clock, they don’t expect Highway 1 to be open until at least Wednesday. Caltrans also let local traffic through between 3:30 and 5 Tuesday evening. As of 5:30 PM Tuesday, Caltrans plans to close Highway 1 indefinitely until all slides are cleared. Caltrans expects to provide another update Wednesday morning. PREVIOUS STORY: Caltrans will open Highway 1 temporarily this afternoon to local residents and emergency vehicles only between Lucia and Fernwood.
At 3:30 p.m., Highway 1 will open one lane to allow northbound traffic to exit from Lucia past Fernwood.
At 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., Highway 1 will open one lane to allow southbound traffic to enter from Fernwood to Lucia (for local traffic and emergency services).
At 5:30 p.m., Highway 1 will close again indefinitely to work on clearing active slides. The California Highway Patrol will be onsite overnight at Fernwood to assist with traffic control.
20;51;19 – rick aldinger, manager big sur river inn
