| Date: | Monday, September 16, 2024 |
| District: | 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties |
| Contact: | Kevin Drabinski or Genelle Padilla |
| Phone: | (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATE #9
TWO WEEKS OF FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURES OF HIGHWAY 1 AT ROCKY CREEK TO BEGIN SUNDAY SEPT. 22 AS CREWS BUILD SUPPORT COLUMNS
MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans will continue with emergency repairs to Highway 1 near the Rocky Creek Bridge, 12 miles south of Carmel. Caltrans previously stabilized and reinforced Highway 1 at this location after a March 30 slipout resulted in a loss of a section of the southbound lane.
Overnight Closures Needed for Construction of Support Columns
Crews are entering a critical phase of construction of the southbound section of the Rocky Creek viaduct. This viaduct is a bridge-like structure and during this next phase reinforced concrete support columns will be cast to support the weight of the structure.
Because this phase of construction involves drilling and concrete work in open holes, it is necessary for crews to work consecutive shifts with full overnight closures so that the integrity of the bored holes is preserved. Working on an uninterrupted schedule also allows for this phase to be completed in advance of wet weather, reducing the chance for water intrusion and delays to the project schedule.
Upcoming Repair Schedule Update
This upcoming phase of construction involves an exception to the customary overnight work schedule and includes full overnight closures on a weekend.
Beginning Sunday September 22, and continuing through the morning of Friday October 4, travelers will encounter a full closure of Hwy. 1 at Rocky Creek from 10 pm to 6 am, to allow for construction of the reinforced concrete support columns.
Daytime travelers will continue to enjoy access through the repair site driving on the northbound lane and directed by a temporary signal system.
Once construction of the southbound section of the Rocky Creek viaduct is complete, travel will be directed onto this southbound section and work will begin on construction of the northbound portion of the viaduct.
The estimate for completion of the Rocky Creek viaduct is summer 2025 and is dependent on conditions encountered during construction. The contractor for this project is Gordon N. Ball, Inc. of Alamo, CA.
Highway 1 remains closed 40 miles south of Carmel due to the Regent’s Slide.