Public travel now permitted through Highway 1 convoy with exceptions

BIG SUR, CALIF. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON APRIL 29, 2024 AT 11:29 a.m.- On Sunday night, Caltrans announced that the convoys on Highway 1 will open to all members of the traveling public.

Officials said that the convoys will resume again at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Caltrans confirmed in a press release that the convoys are expected to last an hour each day.

Officials said the public will be allowed to travel in both directions during the morning convoy while in the afternoon, public travel will be able to use the northbound convoy to leave the area.

However, only residents, essential workers, and drivers with existing travel reservations will only be allowed to join the southbound convoy.

According to Caltrans, the convoy reconfiguration was to help some of the local businesses in Big Sur

"It is the first day and news is just starting to spread," California Highway Patrol Officer Oscar Loza said. "We didn't have many visitors trying to come in."

Officer Loza says only three visitors were part of the morning convoy on Monday. The California Highway Patrol says before this week they've averaged around 250 people passing through the convoy.

But officers are preparing for more cars on the road now.

"With the increased number of vehicles that are going to be in the convoy previously, it was taking us 30 minutes to an hour to get everybody through," said Loza. "Now with that increased number, we may go beyond an hour, which is going to impact the workers. They won't be able to start their work,"

There will be restrictions in the 5 pm convoy, as Loza explains, once you're in at 5 p.m., You won't be able to leave until the next day.

"It's only going to be residents, any workers, and those with reservations," said Loza. "So if people don't have reservations, then they're not going to have a place to sleep,"

Shortly, a temporary traffic light will be installed to control one-way traffic.

Caltrans expects a full reopening of that part of Highway 1 to be open by Memorial Day.

Bixby Bridge will be closed during this time. The California Highway Patrol will be making sure visitors are not stopping on the side of the road during the convoys.

Morning convoy times to change on Sunday due to Big Sur International Marathon

UPDATE ON APRIL 23, 2024 AT 3:33 PM- With the Big Sur International Marathon taking place on Sunday morning, Caltrans announced there will be a slight time change for convoys.

Officials said that the morning convoy time will be switched from 7 a.m. to 4 a.m. The afternoon convoy time which is at 5 p.m. will still go on as planned.

On Sunday, Highway 1 will be closed between Rocky Creek Bridge and Rio Road from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the duration of the marathon for runners to get through the course.

The convoy times will resume back to their regular schedule of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Caltrans said repairs for the Highway 1 stabilization will be completed by Memorial Day weekend.

Highway 1 near Rocky Creek Bridge has been impacted since late March when part of the road slipped out.

Times for Rocky Creek slip-out convoys in Big Sur rescheduled again

Caltrans announced a schedule change for convoys through the Rocky Creek repair site on Highway 1 happening Sunday, April 14th because of lingering wet weather forecasted in that area.

The first of the two daily convoys will take place at noon instead of 7 a.m., according to the agency. The later convoy is still scheduled for 5 p.m.

Caltrans said it expects the convoys at Rocky Creek to return to the regular schedule on Monday, April 15th.

Crews reported the site has remained in good condition despite this weekend's rain.

ORIGINAL STORY- Caltrans has announced the times for the daily convoys are changing starting Wednesday April 10th.

According to officials, the convoys on Highway 1 through the Rocky Creek repair site will change from 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., to 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. The new convoy hours were chosen after consultations with community stakeholders and in collaboration with the Monterey County Department of Emergency Management.

As a reminder, the convoys are intended for the use of local residents and essential workers only.