| Date: | Friday, May 31, 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 #7
HIGHWAY 1 AT PAUL’S SLIDE NOW EXPECTED
TO REOPEN EARLY TO MID-JULY
MONTEREY COUNTY – Highway 1 at Paul’s Slide, closed since January 14, 2023, when an estimated 500,000 cubic yards of material was displaced and engulfed the roadway, is now expected to reopen by early to mid-July. The southern closure of Highway 1, currently in place at Limekiln State Park, will move north and open direct access to the community of Lucia, the Camaldoli Hermitage, and area residents.
Paul’s Slide (Post Mile 22) has been a known active slide area for much of the history of Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast. Continued movement of the mountain at various locations within the repair zone proved a challenge during construction and will continue to be a background dynamic of the reopened highway.
In part to address slide activity at this location, the roadway has been moved slightly inland and elevated at its south end. The repair will feature an expanded catchment area between the travel lanes and the slope. A concrete protective barrier and fencing will also extend along the northbound shoulder.
Crews are installing the last of three culverts which will convey water and debris below the roadway. Crews are also installing base material prior to final paving. In coming weeks crews will install guardrail, protective barriers, and place final striping in advance of the estimated early to mid-July reopening.
Completion Estimates for Other Slide Repairs
Dolan Point (Post Mile 29.5) Activated March 8, 2024
Repairs at the Dolan Point Slide are expected to be completed by early summer. Completion of repairs at Dolan Point will not result in an adjustment to the northern turnaround point at Lime Creek.
Regent’s Slide (Post Mile 27.8) Activated March 9, 2024
The last of the repairs to be completed will be at Regent’s Slide. Due to challenging conditions associated with the extreme slope at the site, repairs at Regent’s Slide are now estimated to be completed in late fall. Completion of repairs at Regent’s Slide would open up Highway 1 to direct travel between Cambria and Carmel.
Bicyclists are not permitted through construction zones at the Dolan Point Slide or Regent’s Slide but are permitted to pass during regular convoy times at Paul’s Slide. Please note that Regent’s Slide is active, extremely steep, and the material across the road is unstable. There is absolutely no bicycle or pedestrian access on Highway 1 through Regent’s Slide.
Except for an 11-mile section where repairs continue, travelers from the Cambria / San Simeon area are able to travel north as far as Limekiln State Park. Travelers from the Monterey / Carmel area are able to travel as far as Lime Creek, south of the Esalen Institute.
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.