Highway 1 open for today, but will close again tomorrow

Date:	Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 8:00 am
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 #4

 HIGHWAY 1 ON THE BIG SUR COAST IS FULLY REOPENED AS OF 8 AM AND SET TO CLOSE AGAIN WEDNESDAY IN ADVANCE OF ATMOSPHERIC RIVER

MONTEREY / SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES – Highway 1 from Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County, to just south of Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn in Monterey County, is fully reopened as of 8 am today.

Travelers will encounter one-way reversing traffic control at Paul’s Slide (PM 22) where contracted crews will continue to work to clean out debris behind the catchment area.

The current plan calls for Hwy. 1 to remain open Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. 

Highway 1 will close again on Wednesday Jan. 4, with the same or similar closure parameters as were previously in place. An exact time for this Wednesday closure has not yet been established and will be provided in an update.

The one day reopening of Highway 1 is designed in part to allow for residents and businesses within the closure area to circulate and gather necessary supplies.

A severe atmospheric river event is expected to arrive Wednesday Jan. 4, and there is a forecast for additional heavy weather for the upcoming weekend.

Given the saturated conditions already in place, there is a strong possibility that the closure of Highway 1 scheduled to go into effect on Wednesday Jan. 4, could be in place for an extended time.

Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.