Regent’s Slide Update, 5/21/25

Date:	Wednesday, May 21, 2025
District:	05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:	Kevin Drabinski or Celeste Morales
Phone:	(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE #4

CREWS FOCUSED ON SLOPE STABILIZATION AT REGENT’S SLIDE

MONTEREY COUNTY – Crews are continuing with repairs to Regent’s Slide, which closed Highway 1 on February 9, 2024, with crews now focused on slope stabilization efforts.

After gaining one month of improved excavation productivity with the use of traditional and remote-controlled heavy equipment, monitoring devices and field observations identified new slide activity and surface cracking in the slope immediately above the project area.

Crews are in the process of installing dozens of shear dowels, steel bars approximately 60 ft. in length, into the slope above the work area. These shear dowels are drilled into the slope and grouted in place in a 10 ft. by 10 ft. grid fashion. Shear dowels were previously installed in the slope immediately north of the area now exhibiting movement and have been successful there in limiting further slide activity.

Crews installing shear dowels are working seven days a week and extended hours. It is anticipated that excavation activities will resume using traditional and remote equipment in the upcoming weeks once the shear dowel installation has been completed and monitoring equipment and site conditions indicate that it is once again safe to do so.  

Additionally, given the complexities of the site conditions and the priority to complete repairs in a safe and timely manner, Caltrans has engaged an outside professional Geotechnical consulting firm to support the repair effort at Regent’s Slide.

As announced previously, repairs to Regent’s Slide are now expected to keep Highway 1 in this area closed through summer 2025. Caltrans will continue to 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.