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Northbound Highway 1 reopens in Santa Cruz after crews remove debris from San Lorenzo River

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV): UPDATE JAN. 3, 2023 6:13 A.M. - Caltrans has announced Northbound Highway 1 is back open across the San Lorenzo River after crews were able to remove enough debris after storms on New Years Eve.

Trees and other materials accumulated against the bridge on Highway 1 where it crosses the river, posing a danger to the bridge.

Now that it's gone, drivers won't see closures there, however people attempting to travel on Graham Hill Road and Ocean Street in Santa Cruz will continue to see closures of the Ocean Street onramp to northbound Highway 1.

That closure is expected to be in place over the next several days.

UPDATE ON JAN. 2, 2023 AT 4:40 PM: Caltrans said that the closure on Northbound Highway 1 will remain closed until Tuesday morning.

Officials said that crews continue to make progress removing trees and other materials which have accumulated against the bridge on Highway 1 where it crosses the San Lorenzo River.

Crews will be working for a second straight overnight shift as they attempt to clear out all of the debris from the river before heavy rain and winds come into the area on Wednesday.

Original Story

Caltrans District 5 announced that all Northbound Lanes on Highway 1 in Santa Cruz will be closing at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon for debris removal from San Lorenzo River.

According to CHP Santa Cruz, The closure will north of Highway 17 and just south of River Street.

Caltrans said that drivers will be directed off at Ocean Street and will take Water Street. before returning to Hwy. 1 via River Street.

CHP Santa Cruz said that all northbound lanes should reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday morning.

Crews will work overnight at the location to remove debris which has grown beneath the bridge on Highway 1 where it spans the San Lorenzo River.

Caltrans said the closure had to take place to help protect the bridge's structure and reducing the possibility of upstream flooding.

Workers will be using a crane to help remove debris from the riverbed as trucks will haul materials off site.

Directional and message signs will be in place to help travelers.

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Derrick Ow

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