Month: May 2025

Pacific Valley School’s Teacher and Employee of the year

The California Department of Education asks each school district to identify and honor exemplary classified school employees and teachers throughout California.

CSEY awardees are eligible to be nominated for the National Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.

The CSEY and California Teachers of the Year (TOY) Annual Awards Ceremony is tomorrow, Friday, May 9, 2025 at the Embassy Suites Monterey Bay.

Heather Lynn Martin is 

Big Sur Unified School District’s Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Martin began her teaching career in 1988. She began teaching for Pacific Valley School in August of 2023 and has taught Middle and High School. Her subjects include 7th and 8th English Language Arts, AP Literature, AP Language, 7th and 8th-grade history, Economics, Health, and STEAM.

Mr Cesar Zarate is Big Sur Unified School District’s Classified Employee of the Year. 

Cesar has been nominated at the Monterey County level for his contributions to food and nutrition services. He is responsible for cooking breakfast and lunch daily, as well as kitchen maintenance. 

Cesar is a major asset to Pacific Valley School. Not only is he in food services, he also drives students to school and back home everyday, assists students with academics, and monitors children outdoors. 

Congratulations to both members of the Pacific Valley School team.

Another Overnight only closure on Sun 5/11

Getting confused? You are not alone. By my count, we have an overnight closure on Sun 5/11 at 10 pm and a 24 hour closure beginning 5/16 at 10 pm. Looks like a fun week ahead!

Date:Tuesday, May 6, 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 #39

HIGHWAY 1 ROCKY CREEK VIADUCT PROJECT TO RESULT IN

OVERNIGHT CLOSURE SUNDAY, MAY 11 AT 10 PM

MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans is continuing 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, 2024, slipout resulted in a loss of a section of the southbound lane. The southbound lane of Highway 1 at Rocky Creek was reopened to travel on March 8, 2025, after completion of the southbound viaduct structure.

                                                                                                Overnight Closure Planned Sunday May 11:

                                               A full overnight closure of Hwy. 1 at Rocky Creek will take place on Sunday, May 11 from 10 pm until 6 am.

Work during previous overnight closures have resulted in crews using vacuum trucks to remove rock and water from holes left by the removal of the temporary shoring piles. These temporary shoring piles were the vertical structures driven into the ground to support excavation work, prevent soil collapse, and ensure stability during construction. In coming weeks these holes will then be backfilled with concrete during daytime shifts.

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 Walnut Creek, CA. 

Travelers are reminded that over 100 miles of Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast remain open and accessible. Travelers from northern California will find easy access to historic bridges, waterfalls, restaurants, and lodging amenities. 

Travelers from southern California will find that the highway brings them directly within reach of the unparalleled views, lodging amenities, and natural wonders of Lucia, the Camaldoli Hermitage, Gorda, Ragged Point, San Simeon, and Cambria.

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. 

Full 24 hour Closure of Rocky Creek starting on 5/16 at 10 pm

Date:Monday, May 5, 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 #38

HIGHWAY 1 AT ROCKY CREEK SET FOR FULL 24-HOUR CLOSURE

STARTING FRIDAY, MAY 16 AT 10 PM FOR GIRDER INSTALLATION

MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans is continuing 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, 2024, slipout resulted in a loss of a section of the southbound lane. The southbound lane of Highway 1 at Rocky Creek was reopened to travel on March 8, 2025, after completion of the southbound viaduct structure.

Full 24-Hour Closure of Hwy. 1 at Rocky Creek Set to Begin Friday, May 16 at 10 PM

Caltrans is scheduled to fully close Highway 1 at Rocky Creek for 24 hours starting Friday, May 16 at 10 pm. Highway 1 is scheduled to reopen to thru travel on Saturday, May 17 at 10 pm.

Note: Two heavy cranes will be in operation at either end of the project area during the girder installation. No vehicle travel of any kind will be possible on Highway 1 through Rocky Creek for the duration of this 24-hour closure.

The schedule for this 24-hour closure is weather dependent. Updates will be provided to confirm or announce any changes to this schedule. Should weather force the rescheduling of the girder installation, the first alternative date for this work would be from Saturday, May 17 at 10 pm to Sunday, May 18 at 10 pm.

Caltrans hopes to achieve a major construction milestone during this 24-hour closure with the installation of six pre-cast concrete girders which will advance completion of the northbound viaduct structure. Crews previously installed nine girders for the now completed southbound viaduct structure in mid-December of last year.

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 Walnut Creek, CA.

Travelers are reminded that over 100 miles of Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast remain open and accessible. Travelers from northern California will find easy access to historic bridges, waterfalls, restaurants, and lodging amenities. Travelers from southern California will find that the highway brings them directly within reach of the unparalleled views, lodging amenities, and natural wonders of Lucia, the Camaldoli Hermitage, Gorda, Ragged Point, San Simeon, and Cambria.

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.

Our crews deserve to get home safely too.

Drive slowly and carefully in work zones.

CHP Traffic Incident Information Page: http://cad.chp.ca.gov

Traveler information at: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

| #BeWorkZoneAlert | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube |

Public Comment on the Wildfire Risk Reduction Project

The Los Padres National Forest has released the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Wildfire Risk Reduction Project – a proposal to reduce wildfire risk, protect communities and infrastructure, and improve forest health across five counties.

You are invited to review the draft EA and provide public comment during the official 30-day comment period (May 2 – June 2, 2025).

Click here to learn more about the project and view the draft Environmental Assessment, district maps, and supporting materials.

Click Here to find out how to submit your public comments.

Correction: NO Palo Colorado to Bixby closure on 5/4

I wrote to Jim Shivers, as the two different times did not make sense to me. He clarified with Kevin, and this is what he sent me:

“It would be a good rule of thumb to not post any Palo Colorado work.

I have asked our construction team to straighten this out.

It causes unnecessary confusion.

There are no closures at all associated with the entry for Bixby Bridge / Palo Colorado.

Please eliminate any reference to these in future reports.

This is an error in the lane closure report.

I hope to have this remedied going forward.

The Rocky Creek overnight closure times are almost always 10 pm to 6 am.

I hope we do not cause trouble for anyone by the posting of a 5 am reopening.

I will bring this up with the construction team as well.

Appreciative of your patience.:

TWO Overnight Closures on 5/4; one from 10pm – 5 am and in the same general area another from 9pm – 6 am. Plan accordingly

From Caltrans TMAC Friday report:

Highway 1: Rocky Creek Bridge: May 4 – May 5

There will be full overnight closure of northbound and southbound Highway 1 at Rocky Creek Bridge to deploy equipment and materials for seawall repair work from 10 pm to 5 am. 

Highway 1: Bixby Creek Bridge – Palo Colorado: May 4

There will be full overnight closure of northbound and southbound Highway 1 between Bixby Creek Bridge and Palo Colorado for concrete pouring work from 9 pm to 6 am.

Big Sur Multi Agency Advisory Council Meeting tomorrow, 5/2 and can attend via Zoom

Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council Meeting

Friday, May 2, 2025

10:00 a.m.

Big Sur Lodge, 47225 Highway One, Big Sur, CA 93920

Congressman Jimmy Panetta and Supervisor Kate Daniels, Co-Chairs

AGENDA

Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:

Please click this URL to join. https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/92040929363

Or One tap mobile:

+16692192599,,92040929363# US (San Jose)

+16699006833,,92040929363# US (San Jose)

Or join by phone:

Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 669 219 2599 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 213 338 8477 or +1 929 205 6099 or

+1 312 626 6799 US

Web ID: 920 4092 9363

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call and Introductions

III. Approval of the February 28, 2025 Draft Minutes

IV. Recognition of Karen Grimmer’s Work with the BSMAAC

V. Appointment of South Coast Representative

VI. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items – limited to 3 minutes

VII. New Business – None

VIII. Old Business

a. Update on CA Coastal Trail – Sen. Laird

b. Mud Creek Coastal Development Permit ~ Process, Lessons Learned and Future

Plans – California Coastal Commission

c. Update on Restrooms at Garapata – California State Parks/State Coastal

Conservancy

IX. Reports from Member Agencies

a. Big Sur Resident, North Coast

b. Big Sur Resident, South Coast

c. Big Sur Chamber of Commerce

d. Community Association of Big Sur

e. County of Monterey Planning Department

f. Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District

g. California Coastal Commission

h. Caltrans

i. California State Parks and Recreation

j. NOAA Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaryk. United States Forest Service

l. 5th District, Monterey County Board of Supervisors

m. 30th District, California State Assembly

n. 17th District, California State Senate

o. 19th District, United States Congress

X. Report from Non-Member Agencies on Issues Pertinent to Big Sur

a. United States Forest Service, Law Enforcement Officer

b. California Highway Patrol

c. Monterey County Sheriff’s Office

d. Big Sur Fire

e. Big Sur Byway Organization

XI. Adjournment

Next Meeting – Friday, July 11, 2025

~Thank you to the Big Sur Lodge for your hospitality and for the use of the conference room at the Big Sur Lodge~

For BSMAAC Agendas and Minutes please visit

https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/housing-community-

development/planning-services/current-planning/committees-hearings-agendas