Big Sur

Retrospective — Paul’s Slide Today & 5 years ago

This is Paul’s Slide yesterday:

And this is the closure at Limekiln:

(Thanks to Lou for sending me the photos)

This is what I published in 2018. Problems at Paul’s Slide are nothing new. Still aggravating, but not new.

Today’s Date: Monday, July 30, 2018

District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa  Cruz Counties

Contact:   Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin JonesPhone:(805) 549-3138 or 549-3189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEEMERGENCY RETAINING WALL WORK AT PAUL’S SLIDE REQUIRES THREE FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURES IN BIG SUR STARTING SUNDAY NIGHT, AUG. 5

MONTEREY COUNTY – Augmenting the existing retaining wall will require both directions of State Route 1 at Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) to fully close overnight for three nights, starting on Sunday, August 5th.The highway will be closed from 10 pm to 6 am the next morning. Motorists/cyclists are advised to plan around these three emergency overnight hard closures. This roadwork should be completed by Wednesday morning, Aug. 8th at 6 am.Paul’s Slide suffered major storm damage last January, 2017, losing part of its embankment including the southbound lane and closing for several months. Paul’s Slide remains active and continues to be monitored; it has currently been operating under a temporary traffic signal for the last 12 months and the signal will remain in place.John Madonna Construction is the contractor for this project. Augmenting the existing retaining wall at Paul’s Slide will ensure a safer environment for all travelers.For more information on this project and for traffic updates on other Caltrans projects in Monterey County, residents can call the District 5 toll free number at 1-831-372-0862 orcan visit our website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/paffairs/release.htm#mon

bigsurkate

Appointed appellate counsel for indigent defendants (retired.) I have lived in Big Sur since 1984, first on the north coast, and on the South Coast since 1989.

View Comments

  • I lived at Lucia almost 60 years ago and that area was ALWAYS sliding. It was a given that there would be a six or more drop in elevation after each rain storm!

  • We having been saying this for years, I have no idea how many millions or maybe billions for this project, not doing a temporary fix. for this area.
    If Cal Trans or California State put all the money needed we would not having all these problems, maybe reroute rd.
    Thank You
    Helen Forbes

  • When I see close-up photos, or for that matter pix of people near on upon damaged places, I worry about further earth movement and when it could take place.

  • In New Zealand, I believe, they moved part of a coastal Highway out to a bridge (or causeway) that runs the length of a particularly treacherous part of the coast. Maybe that’s something to consider although, that said, it’s hard to trust Caltrans would do it right.

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