Highway 1 Update, 1/27/23

Date:Friday, January 27, 2023, at 5:15 p.m.
District:05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:Kevin Drabinski or Alexa Bertola
Phone:(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE #19

GOOD PROGRESS AS REPAIRS CONTINUE TO HIGHWAY 1

ON THE BIG SUR COAST 

MONTEREY / SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES – Caltrans and contracted crews continue to repair damages to Highway 1 which have resulted in a closure of the roadway from just south of Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County to Lime Creek in Monterey County.

Polar Star

A major slide took place at Polar Star, one mile south of Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County on Jan. 4, 2023. Crews have continued make good progress working from the top of this slide and have addressed major drainage control issues. Crews are removing roughly 2,000 cubic yards of material every day.

The estimated time for the reopening of Highway 1 through Polar Star is three weeks, weather permitting.

SLO / Monterey County Line

Repairs continue at two locations near the county line. At the first, just south of the county line in San Luis Obispo County, crews with excavators continue to remove slide material from the roadway. At the second, at PM 0.8 in Monterey County, crews are addressing the failure of an embankment. Once the roadway is open for travel at Polar Star, access through PM 0.8 will be available to the public but will be subject to one-way reversing traffic control with the installation of a temporary signal.

Mill Creek Slide

After a major slide at Mill Creek at PM 18 on Jan. 15, 2023, crews initially cleared a pathway in the highway to permit staff and heavy equipment to get in position to make repairs. The slope of the slide at Mill Creek is incredibly steep and a specialized spider excavator was brought in to work the slide from the top down. A second spider excavator began work there today. Other heavy equipment will join the effort as slope conditions permit. Work over the next weeks will bring debris down on to the roadway removing the opportunity for travel through the slide area. 

The estimated time for the reopening of Highway 1 through Mill Creek is three weeks.

Paul’s Slide

Activity at Paul’s Slide at PM 22, accelerated with recent rains and major activity took place there on Jan. 14, 2023. With the slide having pushed segments of the concrete barriers of the catchment all the way across the road, contracted crews are getting by driving on part of the southbound lane and the shoulder, and then only with the help of spotters.

Unfortunately, many large-scale landslides do not release until a few months after a storm has passed, so continued monitoring at Paul’s is warranted. At present, it is not possible to remove debris material from the catchment area or the toe of the slide as it is providing a resisting force against the driving force of the slide from above. 

Crews flew unmanned aircraft over the slide area to gather data to be used in selecting strategies for designing possible engineering solutions. Initial reports indicate that the slide activity has been substantial and will likely require a major removal of material from the slope which could take several months.

The estimated time for the reopening of Highway 1 through Paul’s Slide is unknown at this time. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Highway 1 From North of Paul’s Slide to Lime Creek

Crews are working at a location known as Morning Glory at PM 23.5 where one lane of the highway is settling dramatically. Crews continue to patch the roadway using cold mix asphalt. Crews also continue to remove slide material at PM 25 which has covered the northbound lane. Additionally, crews are at work to replace a guardrail at PM 30.6 where the roadway and embankment has been undermined by storm erosion.

Note: It is currently estimated that Highway 1 will reopen between the north gate at Paul’s Slide at PM 22 and the current closure at Lime Creek at PM 32 on Friday, Feb. 3. Signs at southbound Highway 1 at Lime Creek will alert travelers that the road is closed except for travel by locals.

The closure of Highway 1 from the southern approach in San Luis Obispo County continues to be set at the elephant seal vista area, four miles north of San Simeon. That location was selected as it provides an opportunity for large vehicles to turn around, an opportunity that is largely unavailable north of that location.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Helicopter Resupply Day

Delivery at Lucia Lodge, north of the slides

I have friends on both sides of the relay — delivery & distribution. My friend north of the slide, Connie McCoy sent me all these photos. Thank you Connie. I heard from friends on the distribution end yesterday, the it was a wonderful gathering and a chance for people who hasn’t been out of their own area of the coast to catch up with others from other enclaves. I will post those later today.

L to R: KSBW reporter, LaVerene McLeod, Kenny McLeod, and Hal Latta, all local CERT volunteers who assisted with picking up Orders for individuals at Safeway, Pet food provided by the SPCA, and with the assistance of our Physician’s Assistant, Sharen Carey, prescription medicines from CVS. Our local postmaster, Andrew brought down the mail as well.

The first delivery of essential goods to the isolated residents of Big Sur yesterday afternoon was a success, and will continue this afternoon.

A big thank you to the Community Association of Big Sur, Monterey County Food Bank with the Big Sur Share, Monterey County SPCA, and Safeway in the Crossroads for helping make this possible. Also, Monterey County Sheriffs and CHP helicopter 70, Lucia Lodge, USFS, Pacific Valley School, and a wonderful community of the South Coast. Distribution photos later today. I am taking a few hours off.

Local Assistance Center moves location

The County of Monterey is continuing it’s local assistance center support for residents impacted by winter storms.

The County of Monterey has closed its Local Assistance Center (LAC) at the Spreckels Veterans Memorial Building and is opening a second center at a new location. The new spot is at the Monterey County Government Center – Schilling Place, 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas. It will open Saturday, January 28th.  

The first center was open January 21st to 26th. This second center will be open from Saturday, January 28th to Sunday, February 5th, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.

The center at its new location will have all the resources that are currently available, a wide array of support services from local, state and federal agencies as well as non-profits and charitable organizations. A list of participating agencies is attached.

The center will be located in the former Economic Development Department space of the Schilling Place complex. There is ample parking both in the Schilling Place lot and across the street. 

Monterey Salinas Transit will continue to provide free bus service to the center from Pajaro and San Ardo.  Any resident who has been impact by our winter storms is encouraged to stop by the LAC and take advantage of the services and assistance that is available to you.

Maia Carroll

Communications Coordinator

County of Monterey