Sorry we can’t invite the whole world….this notice is for all Big Sur locals who are currently enclosed between Rocky Creek road closure and Dolan Slide.

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

UPDATE #13

ROCKY CREEK REPAIRS CONTINUE WITH HORIZONTAL SUPPORT DRILLING AND ADDITION OF OVERNIGHT SHIFTS

MONTEREY COUNTY– Crews continue to make progress with edge stabilization work at the Highway 1 Rocky Creek slip out.

This first phase of the stabilization effort involves drilling, installing, and grouting in steel elements to stabilize the edge of the slip out. Last week crews completed installation of the vertical rock dowels. This week crews drilled anchor supports for deployment of a crane which is now in place and will allow crews to begin the installation of the horizontal rock dowels. This will be followed by an application of shotcrete to the sheer face of the rock slope.

The horizontal dowels will be installed in 5 rows and after each row is complete, the face of the rock slope will be treated with reinforcing shotcrete. There is a 12-hour cure time before crews can begin drilling work on the next horizontal row. 

The rock dowels provide shear resistance along potential failure planes in the rock mass, the grout provides cementation and connection of the dowels to the rock mass, and the shotcrete facing distributes load to the dowels and protects the rock slope from wind and rain erosion.

Crews have installed a light tower on an outcropping above and adjacent to the slip out and crews performing drilling for the horizontal rock dowels will work their first overnight shift tonight. The plan going forward is for crews to work two 12-hour shifts per day.

This stabilization project is a temporary repair which will allow the resumption of unrestricted traffic flow through the area until a permanent fix can be designed and constructed that would restore the southbound lanes that were lost in the rockslide.

Caltrans recently estimated that the completion date for the initial stabilization work at the Rocky Creek slip out would be Memorial Day, May 27. This would mark the end of the current convoys and allow alternating one-way travel through the area without an escort using 24/7 signalized traffic control.

The current convoys are operated at 7 am and 5 pm and are intended for the use of local residents and essential workers only. Limiting the volume of vehicles through the repair site is one strategy which is helping manage the risks associated with conditions at the rockslide and with emergency response.

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.

Contact: Fire Administration Office, 831.667.2113 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

Big Sur Fire Hosts Community Open House at Station 1 

Celebrating 50 Years of Emergency Services in Big Sur 

Big Sur, CA – Big Sur Fire (BSF) announces a Community Open House celebrating its 50^thAnniversary on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 1pm – 4pm at Big Sur Fire Station #1 located at Post Ranch (47900 Highway 1).  Please join us if you are on the south side of the Rocky Creek closure for a fun, family friendly afternoon with your Big Sur firefighters.

Big Sur Fire was formed in 1974 to provide structure fire protection for the residents and businesses in the Big Sur area.  BSF is now the primary emergency response organization in Big Sur responding to all calls for 911 including structure and wildland fires, technical rescues and emergency medical aids for the Big Sur community and its millions of annual visitors. BSF remains an all-volunteer company with about 25 members, covering nearly 60 miles of coastline along Highway One.  

May 4th also marks the celebration of International Firefighters’ Day – a time where the world recognizes and honors the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure their communities are as safe.  There will be a short program honoring all current and former Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade (original name) members for their incredible contributions of time and energy.

The day will include photos with firefighters and our fire apparatus; demonstrations of tools and equipment; and lots of good food featuring pizzas by our very own Pizza Paul and music by Wayward Jerry and his crew.

“We are so fortunate to have such unwavering support from our community, especially during this difficult time that is truly affecting everyone” Fire Chief Matt Harris said. “We look forward to seeing you and celebrating 50 incredible years of service together.”

Park and Shuttle will be at Post Ranch Inn.    

The mission of the Big Sur Fire is to provide dependable fire protection and emergency services to all of Big Sur with a spirit of teamwork, respect and integrity.

Good afternoon,

The County of Monterey Housing and Community Development Department staff invites you to attend a collaborative Community Meeting to review the Rural Community Center Zoning District and discuss how to best expand opportunities for affordable and employee housing for the Big Sur community as a part of the BSLUP update (REF: 210024).

This meeting will be taking place through Zoom on Monday, April 29, 2024 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Zoom Link:

https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/96163005615

Webinar ID: 961 6300 5615

Or Join by Phone at +1 213 338 8477

Kindly,

Elizabeth VasquezSenior Secretary (WOC)Housing and Community Development1441 Schilling Place, South Bldg. 2nd Floor,Salinas, CA 93901Office: (831)755-5025 Desk: (831) 784-5737Fax: (831) 757-9516VasquezE4@co.monterey.ca.us

By Fran Heller:

Date:	Saturday, April 13, 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

UPDATE #12

ROCKY CREEK CONVOYS RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY APRIL 14

TO 12 NOON AND 5 PM DUE TO LINGERING RAIN

MONTEREY COUNTY– Daily convoys through the Rocky Creek slip out on Highway 1, regularly scheduled at 7 am and 5 pm, have been rescheduled for Sunday April 14, to 12 noon and 5 pm. This change in schedule is due to lingering wet weather forecasted to remain in the area Sunday morning. 

It is anticipated that convoys at Rocky Creek will return on Monday April 14 to the regular schedule of 7 am and 5 pm. Crews on site at the Rocky Creek slip out have reported that the site has remained in good condition throughout this weekend’s rain event.

The current convoys are intended for the use of local residents and essential workers only. Limiting the volume of vehicles through the repair site is one strategy which is helping manage the risks associated with conditions at the rockslide and with emergency response.

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.

Date:	Friday, April 12, 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

UPDATE #5

UPDATED ESTIMATES FOR REOPENINGS OF THREE SLIDES ON HIGHWAY 1

MONTEREY COUNTY – Crews continue to make progress with repairs at three major slides on Highway 1, the first of which is located some six miles south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

The Dolan Point Slide (Post Mile 29.5) is the northernmost of the three slides. Due to additional measures being required for rockfall mitigation, Highway 1 at the Dolan Point Slide is now estimated to reopen in mid-May. Next week, crews will blast large rocks on the slope above the roadway which were exposed when debris material was removed. The reopening will follow installation of a cable net drapery system over the face of the slope above the roadway.

Repairs at Regent’s Slide (PM 27.8) are still expected to be completed 100 working days after crews initiate repairs. All environmental clearances are nearing approval, and with the approach of drier weather conditions, a start date is feasible within the next three weeks. Given these conditions the estimate for reopening Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide is early fall of this year.

Due to delays caused by the 2024 winter storms and additional slide locations along the coastal highway, it is now estimated that Highway 1 at Paul’s Slide (PM 22) will reopen in summer 2024. Crews are making cuts in the slope to prepare for final alignment of the roadway. Survey and design of the final alignment, installation of new drainage systems, and preparation for roadway reconstruction will also begin in the coming weeks.

Daily convoys continue through Paul’s Slide and a midday convoy has been added. In order to allow for students north of Paul’s Slide to attend a full school day, a new convoy schedule will be in effect starting Monday April 15, with convoys at 7:45 am, 1 pm, and 4:15 pm.

Note that as roadway construction and drainage installations accelerate in the coming weeks, it is anticipated that the 1 pmconvoy may be eliminated so that the final push to reopen the roadway can proceed with minimal stoppages.

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.

Date:	Friday, April 12, 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

UPDATE #11

CALTRANS ANTICIPATES HIGHWAY 1 STABILIZATION WORK AT ROCKY CREEK TO BE COMPLETED BY MEMORIAL DAY

This will mark the end of convoys, beginning of signalized traffic control

MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans today announced it anticipates completing the initial repair work to stabilize the edge of Highway 1south of the Rocky Creek Bridge by Memorial Day, May 27. This would mark the end of the current convoys and allow alternating one-way traffic through the area without an escort using 24/7 signalized traffic control.

“We know how important Highway 1 is to the regional economy, especially during the summer, so we are working to reopen the roadway as quickly and safely as possible while at the same time making it more resilient to future extreme weather events,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. 

Since the March 30 slip-out that temporarily closed the roadway, Caltrans has conducted geotechnical assessments, widened andimproved drainage in the northbound shoulder area, placed concrete barriers along the centerline to channelize convoy passage, and hired a contractor to drill, install, and grout vertical rock dowels through the southbound lane pavement adjacent to the existing west edge of the roadway.

This will be followed by a longer phase of the work in which crews will drill, install, and grout horizontal rock dowels. Once thereinforcing dowels are in place, the repair design calls for crews to install reinforced shotcrete to the vertical face of the repair to help stabilize the roadway along the cliffside. The drainage improvements will also help the roadway better withstand extreme weather events, which are becoming more common in the area due to climate change.

The construction timeline is subject to change due to a number of factors, including wind and rain. Installation of the horizontal rock dowels requires a crane to hold a basket with crewmembers in it over the edge of the roadway. Winds cannot exceed 25 mph for these activities. The repair schedule may also be impacted by rain events and any change in site conditions.

Until Caltrans stabilizes Highway 1, it will continue using twice daily convoys to move only local residents and essential workers through the area. Limiting the volume of vehicles through the repair site helps to manage risks associated with conditions at the slip out and with emergency response. Once the roadway edge is stabilized, crews will install a temporary signal and open Highway 1 to unrestricted traffic under alternating one-way traffic control. One-way  traffic control will continue until further roadway work is completed and the roadway has cleared safety inspections.

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.