| Date: | Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
| 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 #3
REMOTE-CONTROLLED EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT
REPAIR STRATEGIES AT REGENT’S SLIDE
MONTEREY COUNTY – Repairs to Regent’s Slide, which closed Highway 1 on February 9, 2024, are now being bolstered by the introduction of remote-controlled heavy equipment.
Working closely with Caterpillar Inc. and other contracting partners, the incorporation of this innovative technology is intended to increase production and protect worker safety at Regent’s where crews are challenged by the height, steepness, and instability of the slide.
Bulldozer and excavator operators have been trained to use this remote-controlled equipment that can perform under certain adverse site conditions and at locations that may otherwise not be safe for crews to operate. Remote-controlled equipment capabilities will be used to complement ongoing traditional repair strategies.
A new landslide which enveloped the repair site in August 2024, continues to move at over one foot per day. Caltrans continues to perform daily geologic assessments to determine if it is safe to conduct repair work. Given these conditions, the introduction of remote-controlled equipment will allow Caltrans to take more risk than would be advisable with crewed dozers and excavators.
Repairs to Regent’s Slide are now expected to keep Highway 1 in this area closed through summer 2025. As the efficiencies with this innovative remote-controlled equipment are realized, Caltrans will provide regular updates on progress on these slide repairs and an estimated reopening date.
Big Sur Coast Remains Accessible and Open
Visitors can access more than 100 miles of Highway 1 between Cambria and Carmel, except for the 6.8-mile segment one mile south of the Esalen Institute to two miles north of Lucia.
Travelers from Northern California can still access historic bridges, waterfalls, restaurants, and lodging amenities along the Big Sur coast. Travelers from Southern California can reach the endearing communities of Lucia, Gorda, Ragged Point, San Simeon, and Cambria via Highway 1.
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X/Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.
For more information about transportation projects and funding, visit: Build.ca.gov.
Dear Kate,
Wondering who is the author of the Regent’s Slide photo above. I write about workplace safety and I’d like to use the photo, giving proper credit of course, and get permission to use if needed. Thank you.
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