Highway 1 to close at 5 pm tonight at Paul’s Slide And 9 am at Mud Creek

NEXT UPDATE: MID-DAY, WEDNESDAY 12/4

MONTEREY COUNTY — Caltrans has received confirmation from National Weather Service (NOAA) data that a significant storm will reach the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area beginning this evening. The Highway 1 closure, for traveler safety, will include the areas of Paul’s Slide, closing today, Saturday, Nov. 30 at 5 pm, and Mud Creek closing tomorrow, Sunday at 9 am until further notice. SEE ATTACHED CLOSURE MAP.

The closure initiation process at Paul’s Slide will begin at 3 PM with Electronic Message Signs activated and both gates at Paul’s Slide closed by 5 pm today.  The closure initiation process at Mud Creek will begin at 7 am tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 1with Electronic Message Signs activated and both gates at Mud Creek closed by 9 am on Sunday. Storm activity is currently forecast through the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 4. However, another storm system is currently forecast to begin the evening of Thursday, Dec. 5 so standby for additional information on future pre-emptive closures.

Businesses along the Big Sur Coast on Hwy. 1 remain open and are accessible via Hwys. 101, 68, 46.

Caltrans’ Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units are on call and prepared to inspect/clean up when the storm ends during the daylight hours and it is safe to be onsite again—we currently anticipate this to be Wednesday, Dec. 4. However, another storm system is currently forecast to begin the evening of Thursday, Dec. 5 so standby for additional information on future pre-emptive closures.Caltrans’ goal is to open the roadway as quickly and safely as possible and our staff remains on-call 24/7.

The gates on either side of Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide will be key locked. These gates will not be manned when the highway is closed and there will be no access to anyone, including Emergency Services or Caltrans employees until a proper assessment can be made and any necessary cleanup has been completed.

NOTE: Both Paul’s Slide (today at 5 pm) and Mud Creek (tomorrow at 9 am) will close. An update will be provided by mid-day Wednesday, Dec. 4 or sooner as conditions warrant.