Caltrans: Highway 1 reopening at Paul’s Slide pushed back, midday convoy added

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV)- Caltrans announced the estimated reopening date for Highway 1 at Paul's Slide has been pushed back to this summer.

The agency cited delays caused by winter storms and the need to repair additional slides on the Big Sur Coast.

Crews are making cuts in the slope to prepare for final alignment of the roadway; survey and design of the final alignment, plus installation of new drainage systems and preparation for roadway reconstruction will begin in the coming weeks.

Daily convoys continue through Paul's Slide and a midday convoy has been added to the schedule. Caltrans said this would allow students living north of the slide to attend a full school day. Starting Monday, April 15th, convoys will take place at 7:45 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4:15 pm.

However, the agency said it anticipates the midday convoy may be canceled in the future so the final push to reopen the roadway can proceed with minimal stoppages.

UPDATE ON FEB. 8, 2024 AT 12:00 PM- Caltrans have announced that they have moved the northern closure from Paul's Slide due to slide activity.

Caltrans officials said that there was slide activity which has caused the closure to move 1.7 miles north of Big Creek Bridge at mile marker 29.7.

Caltrans said there is currently no timeline on when the road could reopen. Highway 1 at Paul's Slide has been closed due storm damage suffered from the 2023 Winter Storm.

Reopening for Highway 1 at Paul's Slide still remains on track for late Spring 2024

UPDATE ON FEB. 7, 2024 AT 12:55 PM- Caltrans said that a full reopening for Highway 1 at Paul's Slide still remains on track for Spring 2024 on Wednesday.

Officials said this past rain has not had a significant adverse effect on the repair site overall. Crews have been able to safeguard the progress on the south end of the slide which includes the fill area established to support the new roadway.

Crews have put a temporary catchment area has served to safeguard the future alignment of the roadway from storm water and runoff.

Caltrans said that there is still some slide activity due to saturated ground but they have been able to resume full construction work on the slide.

Additional rain this winter will also stop crews for fully completing work on the slide, per Caltrans.

Highway 1 estimated to reopen at Paul's Slide in late Spring 2024

Caltrans announced the Highway 1 closure at Paul's Slide could be lifted in late Spring 2024.

Caltrans said this is based on months of work so far and what still needs to be done for the highway to be clear of damage left behind by winter storms.

Some of the projects that need to be completed include grading and contouring of the face of the slide, delivery of fill material to the south end of the repair to support alignment of the road and installation of a series of new culverts to shift water and debris under the road.

Caltrans said they also plan to install protective rockfall barriers on the northbound side of the highway and guardrail in the southbound direction.

In the meantime Highway 1 near Lopez Point and Limekiln Creek remains closed.

Crews building elevation to support new roadway on Highway 1 at Paul's Slide

On Tuesday afternoon, Caltrans said that crews are building up the elevation of the south end of Paul’s Slide for the new roadway.

Crews are working on moving the road slightly inland and elevating the road on the southern approach.

Caltrans said that the new design will also increase the catchment area on the inland side of the highway which will be separated by concrete barriers and fencing.

Engineers have also completed the drainage design for the repairs which captures water and debris and transfers the water below the roadway.

Caltrans said there is no estimated timeline for a full reopening of Highway 1 at Paul's Slide

Repairs resume on Highway 1 at Paul's Slide after month-long pause

UPDATE ON SEPT. 12, 2023 AT 11:19 AM- Caltrans said that they have resumed work on Highway 1 at Paul's Slide as of Tuesday.

Highway 1 is still closed to vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic for two miles, between Limekiln State Park to the south and Lucia to the north.

Caltrans said the two safety priorities that have stopped work are the safety of the crews and the designs for the repairs that will create a safe roadway for travelers.

They have stelled on a design that will bring the roadway slightly inland as is passes in front of the Paul's Slide complex. " This design also allows for an enlarged catchment area between concrete barriers and fencing placed along the northbound lane and the toe of the slide," said Caltrans.

There is no current estimate for reopening as the unpredictable weather conditions make it difficult to ascertain when work will be completed. Crews remain on scene making repairs seven days a week during daylight hours.

Slide removal efforts at Paul's Slide has been paused, Geotech investigations to determine next steps

UPDATE ON AUG. 2, 2023 AT 1:04 PM- Caltrans have said that continued movement of the hillside has paused slide removal efforts at Paul's Slide.

Caltrans said that Geotech crews continue to study measurements of recent slide activity and, in coordination with Caltrans engineering teams, will design repairs based on the assessment of these slide conditions.

Crews have been working on the Paul's Slide area since March.

There is still a two-mile closure of Highway 1 between Limekiln State Park and Lucia. Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast remains open from Cambria to Limekiln, and from Monterey to Lucia.

Caltrans has no estimate for reopening of Highway 1 at Paul's Slide

UPDATE ON JULY 21, 2023 AT 4:58 PM- Caltrans said due to recent continued slide activity at Paul's Slide repair site there is no estimate for the reopening of the road.

Now further Geotech investigations will have to be completed to get a new estimate for reopening. "The fact that the mountain continues to move makes a possible reopening date a moving target as well," said Caltrans.

Crews have been working all day, seven days a week since April when the first slide was reported.

Sinkhole on Highway 1 forces southern closure to move to Pacific Valley

UPDATE ON JULY 2, 2023 AT 12:58 PM- According to Caltrans, A sinkhole has caused the southern closure of Highway 1 to move from Limekiln State Park in Monterey County at mile marker 21.2 to Pacific Valley at mile marker 16.

Caltrans said that the location of the sinkhole is one mile south of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road located on mile marker 17.96. The sinkhole is right on the center line of the roadway.

The Highway 1 closure at Pacific Valley will provide large vehicles and trucks with adequate room to turn around.

Crews are en route to make assessments and begin repairs. Caltrans said that the time of the exact opening of that segment of the road is unknown.

Caltrans said once the repairs are done, they will be able to move the southern closure back to Limekiln State Park in Monterey County.

Limekiln State Park still remains closed to the public.

Twenty-one miles of Highway 1 reopened on the Big Sur Coast after storm damages

UPDATE ON MAY 28, 2023: Caltrans said that as of 3 p.m. as of 3 p.m. Friday 21 miles of Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast after been closed for repairs from winter storms.

The southern closure of Highway 1 has moved north from Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County to just south of Limekiln State Park in Monterey County. Drivers will be turned around at the new southern closure just before the entrance to Limeklin State Park.

Caltrans reminds the public that there is no entry into Limekiln State Park.

Crews also continue to work at Paul’s Slide at PM 21.7. The current estimate for reopening the highway at Paul’s Slide is still several months. The massive undertaking to remove an estimated 500,000 cubic yards of material and to sculpt and stabilize the slope is being met by crews working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. A more refined estimate for a reopening date at Paul’s Slide will be made in early July.

Caltrans

Fifteen miles of Highway 1 reopened as northern closure moves south to Lime Creek

UPDATE ON APRIL 5, 2023 AT 12:11 PM- Caltrans District 5 said that 15 miles of Highway 1 on the Big Sur Coast reopened on Monday as the northern closure on the Highway has moved.

The closure moved from Deetjen’s Inn in Monterey County at mile marker 42.2 to Lime Creek at mile marker 32.2. The closure is expected to move south to the Big Creek Vista Point at mile marker 27.

The southern closure limit remains at Ragged Point Inn in San Luis Obispo County.

Crews were able to clear debris off the roadway and stabilized slopes just south of Torre Canyon Bridge, south of Esalen at mile marker 32.5 and farther south at mile marker 29.5.

Officials said that crews may need to return at a later date to the slide area at mile marker 32.5 to perform additional slope stabilization efforts under one-way traffic control.

Resupply window open on Highway 1 for locals only through Gilbert's Slide until Monday

UPDATE ON MARCH 26, 2023 AT 10:58 AM- Although there are still closures on Highway 1 along the Big Sur Coast, Caltrans is opening a part of the highway so people who live there can get supplies.

The highway will be open for locals only at Gilbert's Slide which sits north of the town of Gorda. The highway will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Monday. Flaggers will direct traffic to the northbound shoulder to get around the slide.

Officials said the opening is intended for local residents to pass through and allow for delivery and fuel trucks to pass through north of Gilbert's Slide.

Crews have been assessing Gilbert's Slide and have reported that excavation to repair the slide will take place once conditions dry out and water flowing into the repair area can be controlled and diverted.

When repairs begin, Highway 1 at Gilbert's Slide is expected to remain closed to vehicle traffic for two months.

Highway 1 remains closed between Ragged Point and Deetjens Inn due to slides and washouts from ongoing winter storms.

One lane open through slide on Highway 1 for evacuation purposes south of Torre Canyon Bridge

UPDATE ON MARCH 20, 2023 AT 5:22 PM- Caltrans crews have been able to create a one lane opening for evacuation purposes on Highway 1 at a slide just south of the Torre Canyon Bridge, at PM 39.5.

Officials said that evacuation is now possible for residents and guests who have been isolated south of the slide.

However with another atmospheric river expected to hit the Central Coast overnight, crews will be likely to close this evacuation access because of the significant rains expected. Once the storms have passed, field efforts will continue to remove slide material and open the road for local residents and the public.

Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast remains closed between Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County and Deetjen’s Inn in Monterey County due to slides and washouts.

Highway 1 closures still in effect but progress made on slide south of Torre Canyon Bridge

UPDATE ON MARCH 19, 2023 AT 10:28 AM- On Saturday night, Caltrans said they are making progress at a slide which has covered the roadway at mile marker 39.5 in Monterey County, south of the Torre Canyon Bridge.

There is still a hard closure between Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County and Deetjen’s Inn in Monterey County at mile marker 42.2.

On Sunday, officials planned on reopening a lane just south of the closure for residents and evacuees to leave. However, crews were slowed down by the rain in their attempts to clear the slide. They have delayed the opening of the road until tomorrow.

Crews will be attempting to clear the slide starting on Monday morning.

Caltrans shares a Highway 1 update in Big Sur

UPDATE ON MARCH 16, 2023 AT 3:24 PM- Caltrans officials shared an update on the closure on Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast.

The highway is now closed from just south of Deetjen's Big Sur Inn at mile marker 42 to Ragged Point at mile marker 72.9 which is in San Luis Obispo County.

Highway 1 at mile marker 39.5

Crews responded to a slide which appeared today just south of the Torre Canyon Bridge.

Highway 1 at PM 22.6

Crews are assessing this slip out at Dani Creek located between the entrance to the Hermitage and the town of Lucia.

Paul's Slide Damage

Paul's Slide is set for a long term closure. Depending on the weather conditions, crews will start to bring down an estimated 500,000 cubic yards of material. Crews will sculpt and stabilize the slope, and repair the roadway.

Highway 1 at PM 10.6

This failure of the highway is located just north of the town of Gorda.

Highway 1 at PM 9.1

Crews are actively making repairs to the north end of Mud Creek where a slide took place. Those repairs include debris removal, slope stabilization, and the replacement of protective netting. Officials said that a boulder the size of a shipping container sits on slide material just above the roadway.

Caltrans officials did share good news that the repairs made at Mill Creek Slide on PM 18 managed to hang up well during these storms in January. Repairs also held up well at the Polar Star Slide, which is one mile south of Ragged Point.

Officials said that updates on times for reopening of each of the damaged areas above will be provided as that information becomes available.

Highway 1 northern closure moves to Lime Creek

UPDATE ON MARCH 14, 2023 at 7:53 a.m.- On Tuesday morning, Caltrans officials announced that the northern closure of Highway 1 has moved 10 miles south to Lime Creek at mile marker 32.

The southern closure still remains at Ragged Point. Highway 1 has been closed in stretches since January due to mudslides on the highway.

Highway 1 closed between Ragged Point and Deetjen's Big Sur Inn

UPDATE ON MARCH 9, 2023 AT 5:57 PM: Caltrans said rain has already caused rockfall and forced a closure along Highway 1 between Ragged Point and Deetjen's Big Sur Inn in Monterey County.

Updates will be provided Friday once crews can assess road conditions during daylight hours.

Highway 1 Set to Reopen at Mill Creek at End of March and Paul’s Slide Set for Long-Term Closure

UPDATE ON MARCH 7, 2023 AT 10:58 AM- Caltrans announced a couple of updates regarding a full Highway 1 reopening.

Officials said that the repairs at Mill Creek are in their final stages. Caltrans is planning to reopen Highway 1 at Mill Creek on March 30 depending on weather conditions.

Caltrans will move the southern closure limit to a safe turnaround location below the south end of Paul’s Slide. The closure will move the southern closure limit will move north to a safe turnaround location below the south end of Paul’s Slide.

Officials said that travel for locals from the southern gate of Paul’s Slide south through Mill Creek will open on an intermittent basis prior to the full reopening of the roadway.

The slope above the roadway has maintained its integrity during all recent rain events. Temporary concrete barriers still need to be installed along the southbound travel lane while permanent guardrail is being manufactured.

A small number of additional repairs still need to be made which require a period of dry weather before they can be accomplished. Crew members have been able install temporary concrete barriers need to be installed along the southbound travel lane while permanent guardrail is being manufactured.

There is no estimated timeline on when Highway 1 at Paul's Slide will reopen. Officials said it may be in the range of several months.

Crews have established an initial pathway to the top of the slide area and have begun to bring material down. The repair strategy calls for a vertical cut to be made on the mountain which will sculpt the slope in a way that will permit it to regain stability. The work has been slowed down with the recent rains.

UPDATE ON FEB.16 AT 5:10 P.M. - Caltrans announced access to Highway 1 from the north and south of the winter slide areas is now open as of Thursday.

Highway 1 south from the Monterey/Carmel area for some 50 miles, to the Big Creek Vista Point at PM 27.3, can now travel to enjoy the sights, said Caltrans.

"Travelers are also able to travel for 50 miles heading north from the Cambria area to Pacific Valley at PM 16 to experience the south coast," said Caltrans.

Drivers going north from Cambria can expect daytime traffic one mile south of Ragged Point and also four miles north of that location due to storm repairs.

The reopening of the southern gate of Paul's Slide through Mill Creek is expected within the next seven to 10 days, said Caltrans.

Highway 1 remains closed from Creek Vista Point to Mill Creek

UPDATE ON FEB.13 AT 10:51 A.M. - Currently the 9-mile stretch of Highway 1 is closed from Creek Vista Point to Mill Creek, said Caltrans.

Caltrans said the area will be closed for approximately four more weeks.

The northern closure of Highway 1 was moved Friday from Lime Creek at PM 32 to the Big Creek Vista Point at PM 27.3.

UPDATE ON FEB.1 AT 6:10 p.m. - Caltrans has announced that the Polar Slide Area will reopen next Friday, Feb. 12 after being closed due to slides caused by the winter storms.

The Polar Star area is set to reopen on Feb. 10 for a resupply convoy for local residents. This area will reopen to the public beginning on Feb. 12, per Caltrans. Caltrans drivers will be able to take the road until just before the Mill Creek Slide.

The Mill Creek Slide is now estimated to open to the public in six weeks. Caltrans will try and send convoys to the Mill Creek area when possible.

UPDATE ON JAN. 24 AT 5:10 p.m.- Caltrans said three major rock slides keep Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast closed.

Repairs continue at Paul's Slide, the Mill Creek Slide, and the Polar Star slide in north San Luis Obispo County.

The Paul's Slide area is expected to be closed for at least three to four weeks. The Mill Creek area is expected to last for three to four weeks. The Polar Star area is expected to be clear in four weeks, said Caltrans.

Northern closure of Highway 1 moves south to Lime Creek

UPDATE ON JAN. 17 AT 5:10 p.m.- Caltrans District 5 said they have moved the northern closure of Highway 1 from Deetjen's Inn to Lime Creek.

Officials said that further inspection has lead that part of the Highway to be now safe for travel.

Jan. 16, 2022, at 5:42 p.m.- Caltrans said they plan to move a closure on Highway 1 beginning Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Caltrans said the tentative plan is to move the closure from its current location at  Deetjen’s Inn to south Lime Creek. The move is conditional.

The northern limit will move south provided Tuesday morning roadway inspections reveal the road is safe for the traveling public.

"Should morning inspections reveal that the road is safe to travel, the northern limit will move to Lime Creek on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 2 pm, offering additional access to the coast from the north," said Caltrans.

Teh southern closure of Highway 1 will stay at the elephant seal viewing area, four miles north of San Simeon. This is due to a slide one mile south of Ragged Point extending to both lanes.

Mudslides continue to impact Highway 1 conditions

Caltrans announced that Highway 1 is showing significant instability due to mudslides on the Highway.

Officials said a new slide at PM 18, just south of Mill Creek, has covered both lanes of the roadway.

They are also responding to an area north of Lucia at PM 23.5. The slide has covered both lanes of the Highway. A new closure that is in place at that location is known as Morning Glory.

There are multiple locations within the closure area that are showing activity and distributing material across the roadway.

Caltrans said additional contracted crews are being mobilized to clear the road.

Caltrans said they are scheduling a resupply convoy in the coming days as road and weather conditions permit as crews can clear a path.

Caltrans said that the southern closure of Highway 1 would remain at the elephant seal viewing area, four miles north of San Simeon.  A significant slide, one mile south of Ragged Point, extends over both lanes of travel.

Officials say that the highway is impassible at the location. Caltrans are expecting to restrict access to Ragged Point from the south for several weeks.