Highway 1 reopens on Big Sur Coast after repairs
CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION-TV) UPDATE Dec. 15, 2021 3:00 p.m Highway 1 reopened after 12 inches of rain hit the Central Coast this week, but Caltrans crew said travelers should still expect traffic delays.
California Highway Patrol originally requested to close Highway 1 for nearly 45 miles along the Big Sur Coast with the storm happening on Monday. The closure was extended on Tuesday while Caltrans assessed the damage and made repairs.
Damaged Netting at Cow Cliffs on Dec. 14 
Repairing damaged netting at Cow Clif on Dec. 15
Caltrans said travelers should expect traffic control until 5 p.m. and during daylight hours for the next several days, including the weekend as crews are making emergency repairs to prepare for next week's storm. These repairs are part of a $1.3 million emergency contract with Papich Construction made on Dec. 14.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Highway 1 remained closed from Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County to Deetjen's Big Sur Inn in Monterey County after receiving 12 inches of rain in 24 hours.
There were barricades, cones and signs to detour traffic coming in both directions of the closure.
Caltrans said, "Most portions of Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast fared well during the recent rain event, including those affected by the January 2021 storm."
The highway was supposed to reopen on Tuesday Dec. 14, but a rockfall and debris flow cause some damage down the road as you can see below.
Boulders in Roadway, Big Sur Coast Damaged Netting at Cow Cliffs 
K-Rail at Paul’s Slide
Caltrans said they continue repairs in the morning when it is safe to do sow and will assess when Highway 1 will reopen on a day-to-day basis.
Monterey Bay area expected a major rain storm from Sunday night into early Monday morning and throughout the day.
Monterey County lifted it's evacuation warning Tuesday afternoon.
The down slope area of the Dolan Fire burn scar was considered an immediate threat because of the probability of debris flow. There was also a High Wind Warning until 9 p.m. on Monday with 15 to 30 mph winds with 45 to 60 mph gusts.
This story was updated on Dec. 14, 2021 at 4:15 p.m. to include the latest updates from Caltran on why Highway 1 remains closed after evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.
