Caltrans Update and Photos of Slide South of Big Creek

Date:	Saturday, February 10, 2024
District:	05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:	Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers
Phone:	(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ADDITIONAL ROCKSLIDE ON HIGHWAY 1 WITHIN PERIMETER OF EXISTING CLOSURE/HIGHWAY 1 REMAINS CLOSED FROM NORTH OF KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND TO NORTH OF THE BIG CREEK BRIDGE/CONVOYS FOR LOCALS BEGIN TOMORROW MORNING

MONTEREY COUNTY– Caltrans is responding to another landslide which occurred late yesterday on Highway 1 just south of the Big Creek Bridge at PM 27.8.

This latest slide is larger than the slide which occurred earlier this week with both slides located within the perimeter of the existing closure.  This newest slide has covered Highway 1 and has spilled onto the slope below the highway. It is not known if there is any damage to the highway.

As a result of these two new slides that have occurred in the past three days, the closure of Highway 1, previously located on each side of Paul’s Slide at Post Mile 22.0, is now located 1.7 miles north of the Big Creek Bridge at Post Mile 29.7 on the north end and one mile north of Kirk Creek Campground at Post Mile 19.9 on the south end. There is no estimated time for re-opening this section of the highway.

Highway 1 remains open for travel from the Monterey/Carmel area to six miles south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and from the Cambria/San Simeon area north, to just north of Kirk Creek Campground. No vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic is permitted through the closure due to construction activities and the potential for slides and rockfall.

Caltrans and contracted crews are on site to assess conditions and will begin work at the new slide locations when it is safe to do so.  Work at Paul’s Slide continues seven days a week.

Caltrans is planning to accommodate passage through Paul’s Slide for residents located north of Paul’s Slide and south of the newest slides.  Convoys through Paul’s Slide will be scheduled daily at 8 am and 3 pm and allow for one passage each direction for locals or supplies for locals starting tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 11 at 8 am.  Passage through Paul’s Slide will only be accommodated during times of clear, dry weather and conditions allow for safe travel through the site. With weather forecasts showing more winter conditions late next week, Residents are encouraged to stock up on supplies in anticipation of additional winter storms and the potential for no access during inclimate weather and conditions allow for safe travel through the site.  Residents are encouraged to stock up on supplies in anticipation of additional winter storms and the potential for constricted access.

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.