Caltrans update #1 on Highway 1 closure for 12/31

Date:	Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 3 pm
District:	05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:	Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers
Phone:	(805) 549-3138      (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE #1

 HIGHWAY 1 ON THE BIG SUR COAST REMAINS CLOSED

GATES AT PAUL’S SLIDE TO CLOSE TODAY AT 4:30 PM

MONTEREY / SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES – Due to rockslides at multiple locations, a full closure of Highway 1 is in effect from Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County to 2.5 miles south of Big Sur in Monterey County. There is no estimated time for reopening.

UPDATE: Due to continued slide activity behind the catchment area at Paul’s Slide at Post Mile 22, the gates at the north and south side of Paul’s slide will be closed today at 4:30 pm.

The action to close the gates at Paul’s Slide is being taken out of an abundance of caution.

As announced earlier, contracted crews are expected to arrive Sunday Jan. 1, at Paul’s Slide to begin to clear debris from behind the catchment area where rocks and dirt have reached the top of the concrete barriers at four locations.

Caltrans maintenance crews who have been performing daytime storm patrol within the closure parameters will cease these patrols after dark and resume them at first light.

Updates on this closure will be provided as new information becomes available.