Day: January 24, 2012

Highway One Closure Update #2, 1/24/12

Spoke with Collins Jones, PIO for Cal-Trans sometime between 4 and 4:30, but I was on the road, and this is the first opportunity I have had to post this update.

Resident geologist, John Duffy, and his climbing team went up today and did some “scaling.” Scaling is taking the loose stuff down from the top. That operation revealed that the top is still geologically unstable, so they will be going back tomorrow for more scaling. After that operation, Cal-Trans believes they will be able to give a definitive answer about when the road can be re-opened.

Based on my 23 years of experience dealing with rock, dirt, and mud slides here on the South Coast (I’m guessing probably over 100), my view of the photo Cal-Trans provided, my conversations over the years with old-time Cal-Trans workers, as well as more current ones, I suspect the highway may be open on Friday.

Closure Update, 1/24/12

8:00 am – I have not received any information yet this morning, but was informed by Colin Jones, PIO for Cal-Trans, District 5, last night that the geologists and climbing crew would be on-site today, climbing to the top to check out the conditions up there and making an assessment re: safety and clean-up. Considering what that entails, I do not anticipate any significant up-date until that is completed, sometime late this afternoon. As soon as I get word, I will post here, and to FB, for those who prefer social media. Also note that on the links to the right, under La Niña, 2011-2012, I have added the District 5 FB page, so you can follow them, if you choose, also.

For those of you needing to get through or to the area, and not familiar with the detours, I suggest 101 to 68 and across to Highway One, where you can either go north to Santa Cruz, or south to Big Sur. Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. is a narrow, winding road, not recommended for those in RVs or for the faint-of-heart.

Closure Update, 1/23/12, #2

Rain Rocks Slide by Cal-Trans

I was having internet goblins playing games with my connections Monday afternoon, so didn’t get to post this update from Cal-Trans:

Today’s Date: Monday, January 23, 2012 @ 3 pm
District: 5 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz
and San
Benito Counties
Contact: Jim Shivers or Colin Jones
Phone: (805) 549-3237 or (805) 549-3189
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
***TRAFFIC ADVISORY #2***
HIGHWAY 1 CARMEL TO CAMBRIA ROADWAY UPDATE

HIGHWAY 1 REMAINS FULLY CLOSED 25 MILES SOUTH OF BIG SUR

MONTEREY COUNTY:

Highway 1 (Post Mile 22), 25 miles south of Big Sur remains closed
indefinitely in both directions due to a large rock slide near Limekiln Creek. Caltrans crews are on site monitoring and assessing the damage. Weather conditions are expected to improve tomorrow.

There is no estimated time when the highway will re-open.
All Big Sur and coastal businesses remain OPEN with detours available for motorists.

For more information on Monterey County projects, call the toll-free hotline at (888) 836-0866 or visit
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/projects/. The public may also call the statewide

CHIN at (800) 427-7623 for

updates on current traffic conditions.

Jim Shivers
Caltrans
District 5 Public Information Officer
(805) 549-3237

Also, note that I have added a link to the right for winter conditions (La Nina 2011-2012)to our local district Cal-Trans FB page.