| Date: | Sunday, July 2, 2023, at 12:40 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 #44
SINKHOLE ON HIGHWAY 1 MOVES SOUTHERN CLOSURE
SOUTHTO PACIFIC VALLEY
MONTEREY / SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES – The southern closure of Highway 1 was moved south today, from Limekiln State Park in Monterey County at Post Mile 21.2 to Pacific Valley at PM 16, due to a sinkhole which appeared on the center line of the roadway at PM 17.96.
The location of the sinkhole at PM 17.96 is one mile south of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road. The closure of Highway 1 at Pacific Valley provides adequate room for large vehicles and trucks to safely turn around.
Contracted crews are in route to the site to make assessments and begin repairs. Updates will be provided when the repairs are complete, and the southern closure can be moved north again to Limekiln.
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.
I just drove past there yesterday and didn’t notice a thing. I sure hope it doesn’t cut off our access to Naci to get to Monterey. It’s already a 3.25 hour trip and going the southern route through 46E adds another 1+.
Well, Lisa, at least you can still get to Cambria and SLO….
It appears that the infrastructure from the 1930’s (and perhaps modifications/repairs since) is giving up the ghost, but the weather is getting all the blame. This one appears to not be in a repaired area.
One generally doesn’t see “sink-hole” formation until it’s too late–now THAT’S an INCONVENIENCE!
Are more current photos available?
These are not “sinkholes” due to geology, but due to engineering/construction/materials failure.
That’s a fact!
“That’s a fact comment” was in response to Suzi, I don’t know anything re: the technicalities of sinkholes! But I am surprised I didn’t see anything yesterday driving over that stretch of the road. I was sure it was a mistake on the PM # but when I looked it up, sure enough I drove over it or by it. And in the daylight to boot!!
Philly, that’s empirical evidence of how suddenly surface failure can occur after enough of the supporting earthworks have been displaced by underground flow, as from a hole in a buried pipe. Glad you made the trip when you did, but that’s too uncomfortable a call for my money!
We sure appreciate the info you post here, Kate. It’s timely and helps keep us all up-to-date and safe. Thank you!
You are more than welcome, Kathleen