This update contains no new information, but a nice photo. Here it is in any event:
| Date: | Thursday, May 2, 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
CONVOYS ON HIGHWAY 1 THROUGH ROCKY CREEK OPEN TO PUBLIC
WITH SOUTHBOUND AFTERNOON RESTRICTIONS
MONTEREY COUNTY – Crews continue to make progress with edge stabilization work at the Highway 1 Rocky Creek slip out. Stabilization of the southbound lane will help safeguard and protect the still viable northbound lane which is accommodating twice daily convoys through the repair site.
Construction Update
This first phase of the stabilization involves drilling, installing, and grouting in vertical and horizontal steel elements to stabilize the edge of the slip out. This is followed by an application of reinforced shotcrete to the sheer face of the rock slope. A crane has been deployed which carries a crew basket over the edge of the roadway to perform the horizontal drilling. Crews have been scheduled to work both day and overnight shifts.
Upon completion of this repair, the grouted rock dowels with applied shotcrete facing will provide shear resistance along potential failure planes in the rock mass and ensure that the rockslide below the southbound lane does not advance.
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 lane that was lost in the rockslide.
Due to high winds in the area, crews have been unable to drill stabilizing horizontal rock dowels into the rock slope since the morning of Monday April 29. To date, 46 of a total of 75 horizontal rock dowels have been installed. Drilling of horizontal dowels is expected to be suspended through this Friday due to forecasted high winds.
During high wind events that halt emergency stabilization work, crews are still able to complete geotechnical subsurface investigations which will advance design of the permanent repair at the site.
Caltrans continues to estimate that the completion date for the initial stabilization work at the Rocky Creek slip out will 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. In upcoming weeks this estimate will be updated as production rates on the repair come into better focus.
Convoys Update
There are twice-daily convoys on Highway 1 through the Rocky Creek slip out open to all members of the traveling public. The first convoy will run for approximately an hour beginning at 7 am, and the last convoy will run for approximately an hour beginning at 5 pm. Highway 1 through the Rocky Creek slip out will continue to be closed during the hours between convoys so that crews can continue the repair work to stay on schedule to reopen the roadway by Memorial Day.
Since convoys need time to alternate the travel direction during the one-hour window, travelers are advised to arrive as early as possible to enter the queue. A timely conclusion of the one-hour window is necessary to maintain the road repair schedule.
The public will have access in both directions during the morning convoy. In the afternoon, the public will be able to use the northbound convoy to leave the area. However, only local residents, essential workers, and members of the traveling public with existing travel reservations will be allowed to join the 5 pm southbound convoy. Travelers who go south to Big Sur at 5 pmwill not be able to return north until the next day at 7 am. Highway 1 is closed to all traffic south of the Big Sur area.
Emergency medical response and other essential services may be delayed for those traveling south of Rocky Creek on Highway 1. Travelers who participate in convoys on Highway 1 through Rocky Creek, are advised of the inherent risks involved with entering the area.
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X.com at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.
