| Date: | Thursday, July 24, 2025 |
| District: | 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties |
| Contact: | Celeste Morales or Kevin Drabinski |
| Phone: | (805) 549-3237 or (805) 549-3138 |
UPDATE #5
FULL SCALE EXCAVATION RESUMES AT REGENT’S SLIDE
MONTEREY COUNTY – Crews are continuing with repairs to Regent’s Slide, which closed Highway 1 on February 9, 2024.
Crews at Regent’s Slide resumed full-scale excavation activities in mid-July following the installation of 2,000 shear dowels, which have been drilled and grouted into the cut slope, above the active work area, to stabilize slope movement identified in late-April.
An array of monitoring equipment has confirmed that the shear dowels are having the intended effect of mitigating further slide activity. As the top-down excavation advances, crews will continue to install shear dowels in the cut slope behind them, providing immediate and long-term reinforcement of the slope. To date, the installation of 2,000 shear dowels has included almost 23 miles of steel and 900 tons of cement.
Excavation work is continuing with the combined use of both conventional and remote-controlled equipment. The remote-controlled equipment, including two large bulldozers and one excavator, remain an integral component to the advancement of excavation and removal of slide material. Crews continue to work seven days a week and extended hours on these repair efforts.
With the resumption of full-scale excavation work, Caltrans will be in a position to provide an updated estimate on the full reopening of Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide in mid-September.
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, Treebones, 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.