Month: September 2017

New Zealand’s Highway One Landslide

New Zealand and Big Sur share several things in common – the Pacific Ocean, Jade, Mountains that meet the Sea, and incomparable beauty. There is a fifth thing we share; problems with our Highway One coastal route. I thought a bit of perspective might be in order this Saturday, given our news (or lack thereof) of Mud Creek yesterday.

Just a note, the trip around to get from one side to the other on New Zealand’s Highway One is SEVEN and A HALF HOURS, so Big Sur, consider yourselves lucky.

New video footage released today (9/7/17) highlights the challenges the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) crews working at Ohau Point, north of Kaikoura, are facing daily as they construct a new highway around the base of the major landslide.

Ohau is one of the largest and most challenging landslides still to be cleared, stretching 630 metres around New Zealand’s famous Fur Seal Sanctuary. More than 100,000 cubic metres of material fell down during last November’s earthquake and a clearance and rebuild operation has been underway for most of this year to reconnect communities.

“While abseilers are still working to make safe the northern face of the slip, teams have spent the winter months constructing the foundations for a new seawall where a road and shared path will eventually sit,” says NZ Transport Agency Earthquake Recovery Manager Steve Mutton.

“Despite freezing cold conditions and sudden tidal changes, the crews have made great progress,” he says.

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The new footage also shows for the first time, the teams working to keep the seal colony safe by carefully moving pups and adult seals out of the construction site. Permits granted under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 mean NCTIR team members can physically move the seals. Using helicopters and specially trained seal handlers, the seals are shifted out of harm’s way so machinery can continue making progress.

Seals in pools on an access road north of Kaikoura earlier this year
Seals in pools on an access road north of Kaikoura earlier this year

“Kaikoura’s natural environment is beautiful and special and we want to look after it. Every morning our crews move the seals to safety before the rest of our team starts work.”

Meanwhile, a major operation to install 6000 square metres of steel mesh is well underway on top of Ohau’s fragile northern face. Due for completion in September, the mesh will allow crews to safely clear the small mountain of material still waiting to be shifted underneath. It will also signal the start of construction of a new seawall and road on the northern side of the slip.

Seawall teams are currently working at Irongate, closer to Kaikoura, and Ohau to build 2.5 kilometres of seawalls. Each block weighs 5 tonnes and more than 7000 of them are needed.

“At Ohau, the old road will be used as a catch bench in case any rocks fall in the future. This means contractors will be able to clear the material without causing disruption to the road network.”

Situated in the middle of the northern coastal corridor, Ohau wasn’t easy to reach. Crews had to build access tracks around the other nine landslides from the northern and southern ends in order to reach Ohau in the middle.

Following a successful helicopter sluicing operation at Ohau Point, earthworks teams spent two months benching the landslide to make it safe enough for machinery to cart more than 8000 truck and trailer loads off the southern side of the point during a two month 24/7 operation.

“We are really proud of the work these crews are doing and the way people are working together to reconnect communities along the Kaikoura coast and ensure our wildlife are safe,” says Mr Mutton. “It is a unique environmental and construction challenge but we are now starting to see visible progress after months of preparation.”

Check our Facebook post (external link)today which has the video online. If you have a FB account, you can see videos of their progress on their page. https://www.facebook.com/nztasouthisland/

 

Mud Creek to open end of Summer 2018

Caltrans Announces Projected Timeline for Rebuilding Highway 1 at Mud Creek

BIG SUR, MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans is aiming to have Highway 1 at Mud Creek open to traffic by late summer, 2018 with an estimated price tag of $40 million. Earlier this summer, Caltrans announced a plan to build over the massive slide that covered Highway 1 earlier this year. The new roadway will traverse over the slide area, using a series of embankments, berms, rocks, netting, culverts and other stabilizing material.

“The landslide at Mud Creek is one of the largest in California’s history. We are working to safely rebuild the road in this complex and unpredictable area,” said Caltrans District 5 Director Tim Gubbins. “We understand how much this road closure has impacted the counties of San Luis Obispo and Monterey, and we appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we work to open the highway. Caltrans is committed to restoring this vital link to and from Big Sur as quickly and safely as possible.”

The timeline for rebuilding is dependent on this winter’s weather conditions. Caltrans will continue working closely with various state, local and federal resource agencies and the Big Sur community until the highway is reopened.

The landslide occurred May 20th and sent more than 5 million cubic yards of rock and dirt onto the roadway and into the ocean, making it the largest slide ever along the Big Sur coast.

–Photos below–

Aerial photo courtesy of John Madonna Construction from May 25, 2017

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Aerial photo courtesy of John Madonna Construction from Friday, Sept. 1, 2017

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Susana Z. Cruz nature-flower-blue-motif[1]
Caltrans District 5
Public Information Officer

Adler Ranch Acquisition Petition

The Adler Ranch has a crucial firebreak and is for sale. The US Forest Service proposes to buy it through the Western Rivers Conservancy. Experience shows that such public ownership of the Adler Ranch would likely result in the loss of that fire break and thus increase the threat of wildfires to our community.

*** HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE PETITION PAGE TO PREVENT THE ACQUISITION ***

http://PALO-PETITION.weebly.com

During the Basin Fire in 2008, the Adler Ranch was the location of 1.6 miles of firebreak that was used to stop it from burning through the Rocky Creek, Palo Colorado, and Garrapata watersheds.

ForKate

One of the scoring criteria is whether there is support for the acquisition in the local community and/or from local elected officials. The Western Rivers Conservancy is working to collect statements of support for the acquisition.

The Coast Property Owners Association, Fire Safe Council For Monterey County, and others are opposed to the acquisition. They are working to explain why the acquisition would not meet the criteria, to oppose the acquisition. Your signature on the petition will help that effort by showing the acquisition does not have local support.

Mike Caplin built a one page website you can use to sign a petition that will be given to Congressman Panetta, the Forest Service, Senators Feinstein and Harris, and others.

For those of you who may want more information the petition has a lot of information in its “Whereas” section, including links to documents and video clips to back up what it says.

At the top of the web page is a link to skip to the bottom so you can go straight to signing the petition if you already feel well informed.

If you agree, please sign the petition and pass it along to others who share your concerns. Time is of the essence, so please take a few minutes to review the petition and sign it today.

Bridge Update by Kyle Evans

The bridge has landed. As of approximately 9:30am this morning the bridge made its final descent onto the abutments.

The bridge is now sitting with a rubber pad and steel plate under each girder at both ends of the bridge.

What a momentous occasion to witness. That last 5 inches felt like a very long distance after the marathon of work that went into getting this 900 ton bridge lowered approximately 17 feet into place.

The second image is a detail shot showing the rubber pad and the steel plate under each girder. The bridge is designed to be a floating bridge. It is allowed to flex and move and the rubber pad facilitates this movement and protects the abutment. The steel plate protects the rubber pad and is shaped like a wedge to accommodate the curvature of each girder and allow them to sit flat.

A huge congratulations to the crew for all their hard work. This is a big milestone today.

The next step is to remove all of the temporary work on the bridge and abutments. Forms will be put in to be able to pour the last bits of the abutment that had to wait until the bridge was in place before they could be completed.

On top of the bridge the wood forms continue to be assembled. Once the wood forms are completed on the surface of the bridge the steel workers will come in to build the rebar cages for the concrete.

More to come.

Caltrans Central Coast (District 5)

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The Perils of Nacimiento Road.

Yesterday, the trip down Nacimiento was even more perilous than usual. I was just so glad Rock Knocker was driving. First were a string of 4 Super 10 trucks, fully loaded, without a guide vehicle; then there were two tractor trailer rigs, we had to back way up because they couldn’t make the corner without using the whole frigging road; then there was a regular 10 yard followed by the propane delivery in his regular rig. It was quite the experience. Of course, coming home we had to be on the look out for the return of these same vehicles. The first were the 4 Super 10 trucks, they were early and we were still in the flats along the river. We stopped and talked to the propane guy, and even HE is worried about that little bridge (time for me to call again, since I never got the report on the last inspection). After that, we were about 1/2 way up to the summit and Rock Knocker yelled, “There they are.” I hadn’t seen them, but he had – the tractor trailer rigs without a lead car. Rock Knocker had to back up, down hill, with me completely on the edge – and as afraid of heights as I am, that was no fun a’tall.

At least we don’t have a Harvey or an Irma or the floods in Bangladesh and the wildfires of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and No Cal, right? I think Mother Nature is fed up with us all over the world, not just here in Big Sur. If this is any precursor of the winter ahead, we are in deep doodoo.

Highway Closure Update, 9/5/17

Cal Trans had promised a time-line on Mud Creek by the end of August, so on 8/30 I contacted Susanna Cruz, PIO, to find out when they would release that time line. I was told that upper management and staff were having a meeting on Friday, 9/1/17 to determine a time-line and costs and that same would be released today. About 2 pm today, before I lost cell service, I wrote Susanna again and asked her if they would be releasing an update today? I was specifically interested in the promised timeline. She wrote “Probably not today–it’s in Headquarters for review as a news release, not a statement.” So here is the update, with another for release of the time-line later this week.

Photos and video: 1-3) Mud Creek (PM 8.9) shown from the top, the revetment down below and the seatrain; aerial shot by John Madonna. 4-5) Pfeiffer Canyon (PM 45.52) Girders still being lowered, it will require a total of 18 feet before they rest into place. Temporary falsework shown. You Tube link below shows a timelapse video of the bridge being lowered on the north side—courtesy of Kyle Evans: https://youtu.be/70ikEx8nAZI

HIGHWAY 1 UPDATE – Monday, Sept. 5:
Highway 1 in Monterey County continues to provide 35 total miles of Hwy. 1 to the public from south of Gorda (PM 10) to just south of Pfeiffer Canyon (PM 45.5), accessible only via Nacimiento-Fergusson Road. State Route 1 remains closed from north of Salmon (just south of the Ranger Station (PM 3) to just south of Gorda (PM 10) due to the Mud Creek event. State Route 1 south of Salmon Creek is accessible via State Route 1 in San Luis Obispo County, past Ragged Point to Salmon Creek.

REMINDER: Travelers CANNOT travel the entire length of Highway 1 but local businesses are open on both sides of the closure points at Pfeiffer Canyon and Salmon Creek.

Mud Creek (PM 8.9)
Mud Creek had a major slide on Saturday, May 20, 2017, losing 5 million cubic yards of material. Caltrans continues with its plan to realign the existing terrain. Information on the projected cost and timeline will be made available later this week.

There is currently no public access through the Mud Creek area since this is an active construction zone.

Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6)
Paul’s Slide is still active but the 24/7 one-way reversing traffic control with flaggers will be replaced by a traffic signal and temporary guardrail (k-rail) in the centerline. Installation will begin today, Tuesday, Sept. 1 (4?) and work will continue for approximately one week.

Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge [PCB] (PM 45.52)
The bridge girders have begun and continue the lowering process to have the girders in their final position. Rebar for the diaphragms and deck is being delivered and placement of the deck reinforcement will follow as well as disassembling the remainder of the temporary falsework and completion of deck forming this week. A better idea about the completion schedule is hoped to be available next week as work progresses.

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway work zones.

For more information on this project and for traffic updates on other Caltrans projects in Monterey County, residents can call the District 5 toll free number at 1-831-423-0396 or can visit our website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/paffairs/release.htm#mon

Susana Z. Cruz
Caltrans District 5
Public Information Officer

PM 8.9 Mud Creek Aerial by John Madonna 9.1.17

PM 8.9 Mud Creek from top-1 9.1.17PM 8.9 Mud Creek from top-2 9.1.17

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Margarita Fire

8:30 pm – high winds, but good rain on this fire.

8 pm – rain is coming down pretty good in Paso Robles right now. Hopefully, it will hit this fire! Also reported to be coming down hard in Arroyo Grande. It is heading here, so I need to go close a bunch of windows.

7:15 pm – 150 acres

6 pm – additional for the fire on Pozo Rd. …Eng. 8965, 1 eng. Paso, 1 eng. 5 cities , an WT21 and WR 57. SLO City just sent an engine, and there are now 3 AT working it.

5:30: Veg. Fire Hwy 58 at West Pozo Rd. First engine at scene reporting 50 to 100 acres potential for 2000 acres. B3418 requesting additional AT’s and 5 additional engines. Going to be tough to get any air support, as helicopters are currently unavailable. And that crazy wind event that blew through Santa Barbara, then Santa Maria, may make its way north tonight.

5:00 pm – CHP reports a brush fire.

Friend send me this: “Just had a veg response for Pozo Rd. an Santa Margarita Lake Rd. ….B3418/3422, T75, Tanker an Helo o/o, Engs. 14, 42, 40, 3480, 3468, 3467, 4684, 3428, 7596, WT50, D3441 an 34E1, Cuesta crews 4 an 5”

Missy alerting on Thunder

4:32 pm – Immediate evacuation of the Alamo Fire burn area due to expected flash floods. Significant damage in Santa Barbara Harbor due to the high winds. Flash flood warning for SLO Co and Southern Monterey County as well. AA 340 just sent to Santa Barbara for a search & rescue mission.

4:00 pm – I can’t hear a thing, but Missy? She has come to sit by my feet under my desk, a behavior she only exhibits for thunder and gunshots. I also got a weather alert for severe thunderstorms in Santa Barbara, and apparently that is happening now. SLO is expected to get thunderstorms as well. This is what KSBY in SLO says:

“The Central Coast is looking at another day of heat combined with the threat of continued isolated showers and thunderstorms. Tropical storm Lidia will shift north while expanding coverage today. The Central Coast should expect increasing mid to high level subtropical clouds, rain showers and chance of thunderstorms Sunday evening into Tuesday morning. About 1/3 inch of rain is expected for many locations over three days.”

This is not good news as there are fires throughout California threatening homes. There are too many to list. Two just started this afternoon, Mission Fire in North Fork, south of Bass Lake and Oakhurst, and Peak fire in Bootjack, near Mariposa.  Structures already lost in both, and people can’t evacuate from one housing area. The La Tuna in LA has caused the evacuation of parts of Burbank, Glendale, and LA.

Stay alert and aware. It is a bad weekend.

Weather West CA temps map for Sat

Daniel West, weather forecaster extraordinaire issued this map late Thursday.

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Look at those temps! “Why is it always so hot on big weekends?” the fire chief, Martha Karstens, bemoaned. This is critical fire weather folks. No campfires, no matches, no cigarettes, and as one visual says:

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Honestly, this community cannot survive another big one this close to the Soberanes. We have another heavy winter ahead of us, and we haven’t yet recovered from this double whammy. Please, help us by being vigilant and reporting any and all campfires.