Highway 1 update — Southern Closure moved to Ragged Point and Convoys Scheduled for Friday

Date:	Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 6:15 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 #22

SOUTHERN CLOSURE LIMIT OF HIGHWAY 1 MOVED TO RAGGED POINT

CONVOYS SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY

MONTEREY / SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES – Caltrans and contracted crews continue to make progress to repair damages to Highway 1 after winter storms.

Southern Closure Moved Up to Ragged Point Wednesday Feb. 8

The southern closure of Hwy. 1, previously located 4 miles north of San Simeon at the elephant seal vista area, moved to Ragged Point as of 5 pm today. A full closure of Hwy. 1 will remain in effect between Ragged Point and Lime Creek at PM 32.

Highway 1 to Reopen from Ragged Point to Mill Creek by 5 pm on Sunday Feb. 12

Weather permitting, Hwy. 1 will reopen between Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County and Monterey County’s Mill Creek at PM 18, by 5 pm on Sunday Feb. 12. A turnaround area with ample room for all types of vehicles to maneuver, will be established at Pacific Valley at PM 16.

Highway 1 at Mill Creek Slide to Remain Closed for Six Weeks

The current estimate for the reopening of Hwy. 1 through the Mill Creek Slide area at PM 18 is six weeks. As work progresses, Caltrans will be looking for opportunities to allow for the passage of convoys through the work area at Mill Creek.

Traffic Control in Effect at Polar Star Slide

Work to install metal slope drapery and other erosion control measures, as well as repairs to the roadway at the Polar Star slide one mile south of Ragged Point, will result in long-term traffic control. Travelers will encounter one-way reversing traffic control seven days a week, from 7 am to 5 pm at Polar Star, with up to 30-minute delays, over the course of the next four weeks.

Traffic Control in Effect in Monterey County at Postmile 0.8

Repairs continue at PM 0.8 in Monterey County, about 3.5 miles north of Ragged Point. Travelers will encounter a temporary traffic signal that will provide one-way reversing traffic control at this location where storm damage has undermined parts of the southbound lane. The southbound lane will remain behind k-rail while a retaining wall is being constructed to support the southbound lane.

Highway 1 at Paul’s Slide Facing Long Term Closure

Assessments continue in response to the large magnitude landslide at Paul’s Slide at PM 22. As the scope of the damage and strategies for repair become clearer, an estimate will be made on when or if convoy travel through the area will be available. At present, the full road closure of Highway 1 through Paul’s Slide is expected to be long term. Updates will be provided as more precise information becomes available.

Highway 1 North of Paul’s Slide is Open to Travel by Locals

Highway 1 between the north gate at Paul’s Slide at PM 22 and the current closure at Lime Creek at PM 32 is open to travel by local residents. Travelers on southbound Highway 1 at Lime Creek will encounter signs indicating that the road is closed except for travel by locals.

Convoys Scheduled Between Ragged Point and Mill Creek on Friday Feb. 10

A series of convoys for local residents within the closure area between Ragged Point and Mill Creek are scheduled to take place on Friday Feb. 10.

Southbound convoys will depart from Mill Creek on Friday Feb. 10 at 8 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm.

Northbound convoys will depart from Ragged Point at 9 am, 1 pm, and 5 pm.