Category: Road Conditions

Highway One expanded closure continues

UPDATE #1–TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

CALTRANS CONTINUES WITH TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HWY. 1 WITH CLOSURE LIMITS THAT INCLUDE MUD CREEK/PAUL’S SLIDE

MONTEREY COUNTY —The southern limits of the closure of Highway 1 will remain from Ragged Point (PM SLO 72.87) to Mud Creek (PM Mon 8.9) and the northern limits at Paul’s Slide (PM MON 21.6) due to heavy rainfall and slide activity in the area.   Highway 1 will remain closed at these two locations until further notice.

Businesses along the Big Sur Coast on Hwy. 1 remain open and are accessible via Hwys. 101, 68 and 46.

Caltrans’ Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units are on call and prepared to inspect/clean up when the storm ends during the daylight hours and it is safe to be onsite again—at this time, the forecast shows the storm is stretching into Sunday, Feb. 17th with the possibility of thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall, so we plan to begin assessments on Saturday morning, Feb. 16th. Caltrans’ goal is to open the roadway as quickly and safely as possible and our staff remains on-call 24/7.

The gates on either side of Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide will be key locked. These gates will not be manned when the highway is closed and there will be no access to anyone, including Emergency Services or Caltrans employees until a proper assessment can be made and any necessary cleanup has been completed.

NOTE: This advisory applies only to the Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide areas with each closure being treated separately. Please stay tuned for additional information when the roadway opens again. SEE ATTACHED CLOSURE MAP.

An update will be provided by 5 pm on Saturday, Feb. 16th after assessments have been made.

Photos of Mud Creek taken 2/14/19

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Public Meeting – Limekiln Bridge Replacement

Today’s Date: Friday, February 8, 2019

District:            05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa

Cruz Counties

Contact:         Susana Z. Cruz (Bilingual) or Colin Jones

Phone:           (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 CALTRANS ANNOUNCES PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING/OPEN HOUSE FOR LIMEKILN CREEK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT ON STATE ROUTE 1

 MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans District 5 will hold a Public Information Meeting/Open House regarding a proposal to replace the Limekiln Creek Bridge on Highway 1 in southern Monterey County.

 The public is invited to this meeting which will be held in an open house format at the Big Sur Lodge on Tuesday, February 26 from 4 pm until 7 pm.  The public will be able to learn more about this project, view informational displays and ask questions of the project team, including staff from engineering, traffic operations and environmental.

 Caltrans is proposing to build a new bridge west of the existing structure which would be tied into the existing alignment.  The bridge would have a profile similar to the existing bridge.

 The public may also submit comments on this project to Caltrans, Attention Matt Fowler, 50 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401 no later than Wednesday, March 20.

 

For traffic updates on other state highways on the Central Coast motorists can call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at (805) 549-3318 or visit the District 5 website

at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm 

 

###

 

 

Jim Shivers

Caltrans District 5

Public Information Officer

Day 6 – finally on the home stretch, literally

After Rock Knocker talked to the tourists heading to Treebones, we headed south on South Coast Ridge Rd. At the very first blockage, our neighbor and friend, Peter, came up behind us. They could have both gotten under these trees, but I was too tall. Peter drove 3 miles past his own turn to see us all the way to our back gate. What a guy! Inside the gate, the top of a dead pine came down.  I’ll just let the photos speak for themselves.

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Will Nacimiento open up?

I sat in the parking lot of Denny’s, using my iPad to constantly check the CHP website. The last posting was that CHP was trying to figure out whether the USFS or FHL Fire would be able to clear it. I watched the site like a hawk, and answered some emails, and PMs and DMs, etc. and while I waited. After about an hour, as I was typing a message, it occurred to me that I could call FHL Fire and find out, so I did. I headed out to the west.

I saw Rock Knocker on the road and we stopped. He needed gas and propane, so we ran back into King City for his supplies, and so he could grab a quick bite at Burger King, and then we were back on the road again, and I was able to get my shoulders down from my ears, where they had been “perched” for days due to stress & anxiety.

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We caravaned across FHL. This is the Nacimiento River (apparently it is the San Antonio River – I have been incorrect all these years?) at full steam. Love that view!

After we crossed into the Los Padres National Forest, when the road follows the river, RK stopped at one point to ask me to keep up. I was trying, really, but that Sprinter is a big thing. Because I was “trying to keep up” I couldn’t stop to get a couple photos I wanted of waterfalls coming right out of the rocks and flowing across the road. It was both amazing and alarming!

Finally, at about 3 pm, we got to South Coast Ridge Road. A BMW behind us stopped at the intersection in confusion, seeing us turn onto the dirt, so RK stopped, got out, and went to speak with them. They were on their way to Treebones. See, John Handy? I told you that those seeking out your place would still be coming, even with the road closures.

Anyway, they went on their way. RK and I switched to High Range 4×4 and proceeded on… (to be continued.)

 

Highway One to be fully open at 4 pm today

UPDATE #8–TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

HWY. 1 FULLY REOPENS WITH PAUL’S SLIDE OPENING AT 4 PM TODAY; MUD CREEK REOPENED YESTERDAY AT 4 PM

MONTEREY COUNTY — Caltrans has received confirmation from National Weather Service (NOAA) data that the significant storms have passed in the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area. Caltrans Geotech, Maintenance Design and Maintenance crews assessed all road areas within the closure limits earlier today. Contractor and Caltrans crews are busy cleaning and clearing slide material from the roadway. As a result, Highway 1 fully reopens with Paul’s Slide opening at 4 pm today, Wednesday, Feb. 6; Hwy. 1 at Mud Creek reopened to thru traffic yesterday, Feb. 5 at 4 pm.

Thanks to the Big Sur community and coastal travelers for their cooperation and patience.

Photos of Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) from yesterday, Feb. 5, show big boulder (left) and its removal (middle). Last pic shows several large boulders remain on top of hillside (right), which are being worked on today.

# # #

Highway One Closure Update

Today’s Date: February 5, 2019 at 2 pm

District:            05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa

Cruz Counties

Contact:          Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones

Phone:            (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

**UPDATE #7–TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

HWY. 1 AT PAUL’S TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL TOMORROW AT 4 PM; SECTION OF HWY. 1 AT MUD CREEK SLIDE WILL REOPEN AT 4 PM TODAY

MONTEREY COUNTY — Caltrans has received confirmation from National Weather Service (NOAA) data that the significant storms have passed in the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area. Caltrans Geotech, Maintenance Design and Maintenance crews assessed all road areas within the closure limits earlier today. Contractor and Caltrans crews are busy cleaning and clearing slide material from the roadway. As a result, Highway 1 will remain closed to through traffic until tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 4pm due to heavy mud and boulders on the roadway. However, section of Hwy. 1 at Mud Creek will fully reopen to thru traffic by 4 pm today, Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Motorists will encounter a flagging operation tomorrow with one-way reversing traffic control at Mud Creek to allow for Caltrans to continue roadwork in this area.

Thanks to the Big Sur community and coastal travelers for their cooperation and patience.

More pictures will follow as our crews onsite are out of cell service. An update is tentatively scheduled for mid-morning tomorrow, weather and progress dependent

24-hour notice of Highway 1 Temorary Closure

**24-HOUR TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HIGHWAY 1 AT MUD CREEK/PAUL’S SLIDE

MONTEREY COUNTY — Caltrans has received confirmation from National Weather Service (NOAA) data that a significant storm is in the forecast for this week including the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area.

This advisory is to inform the public to be prepared for preemptive closure of the roadway scheduled for 5 pm Friday, Feb. 1 due to a significant storm. A final notice will be sent just prior to the roadway closing. Caltrans will have our Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units on call and prepared to inspect/clean up during daylight hours when the storm ends and it is safe to be onsite again.

The gates on either side of Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide will be key locked. These gates will not be manned when the highway is closed. No one, including Emergency Services or Caltrans employees will be allowed access until a proper assessment can be made and any necessary cleanup has been completed.

NOTE: These advisories apply only to the Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide areas with each closure being treated separately–both locations will close at 5 pm Friday, Feb. 1. Please stand by for additional information.

#

Highway One to open at 10 am, 1/18/19

**UPDATE #5–TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

CALTRANS REOPENS TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HWY. 1 AT MUD CREEK/PAUL’S SLIDE

MONTEREY COUNTY — Caltrans has received confirmation from National Weather Service (NOAA) data that the significant storms have passed in the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area. Caltrans Geotech, Maintenance Design and Maintenance crews assessed all areas within the closure limits yesterday.  Crews continue cleaning and clearing the roadway from slide activity (rocks and mud), especially at Mud Creek. See photos below. Highway 1, including Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide will fully reopen at 10 am today, Friday, Jan. 18.

Motorists will encounter a flagging operation today with one-way reversing traffic control at the south end of Mud Creek to allow for Caltrans to continue roadwork in this area.

Caltrans’ Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units are on call and prepared to inspect/clean up when each storm ends during the daylight hours and it is safe to be onsite again. Caltrans’ goal is to open the roadway as quickly and safely as possible and our staff remains on-call 24/7

(These photos are from a couple of days ago and previously published yesterday.)

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Highway One continues to be closed, 1/17/19

Photos of most active slides during these storms: Mud Creek, Paul’s Slide, Cow Cliffs, JPB Vista and Extended Closure Map are all attached. (Ed note: Cow Cliffs is generally below Mining Ridge, which received the greatest rainfall of any place reported by NWS Bay Area at over 10” in 48 hours.) First two are Mud Creek,  next 3 are Paul’s Slide, then Cow Cliffs, then up by JPB Turnout.02c55a00-6bc1-42ed-acf1-4316116dfaab275ca98a-e9b5-4740-aa5c-a8115860758965e4ef8f-4e17-4450-8fbd-d6f3b59651685aba8dc3-3b01-40e9-bbaf-e9adce22c2883fa66d54-c1bd-4c33-bdaf-523b1e7ef402cbcbcf85-b428-4a7e-8e19-649229be14387aa91f1b-6e20-49e9-9956-c12f157d25e2eb148465-ccb0-4209-8a22-42254aae129a 

Today’s Date: January 17, 2019 at 3:15 pm

District:            05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa

Cruz Counties

Contact:          Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones

Phone:            (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

**UPDATE #4–TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

CALTRANS CONTINUES WITH TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HWY. 1 WITH EXTENDED CLOSURE LIMITS THAT INCLUDE MUD CREEK/PAUL’S SLIDE

 

MONTEREY COUNTY —The limits of the closure of Highway 1 will continue from Ragged Point (PM SLO 72.87) to the south and were extended yesterday north from Paul’s Slide (PM MON 21.6)

to Deetjen’s/Fullers (MON PM 42) due to heavy rainfall and significant slide activity in the area.  Highway 1 will remain closed between these two locations until further notice.

 

Businesses along the Big Sur Coast on Hwy. 1 remain open and are accessible via Hwys. 101, 68 and 46.

 

Caltrans’ Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units are on call and prepared to inspect/clean up when the storm ends during the daylight hours and when it is safe to be onsite again—Crews inspected all areas earlier today and found various slides along the Hwy. 1 limits. Caltrans maintenance crews and contractor John Madonnaare performing herculean efforts to repair and clear the roadway as quickly as possible—please refer to attached photos from today. A final assessment of the roadway conditions and progress is anticipated to take place in the morning tomorrow, Friday Jan. 18. Caltrans’ goal is to open the roadway as quickly and safely as possible and our staff remains on-call 24/7.

 

The gates on either side of Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide will be key locked. These gates will not be manned when the highway is closed and there will be no access to anyone, including Emergency Services or Caltrans employees until a proper assessment can be made and any necessary cleanup has been completed.

 

NOTE: This advisory applies only to the Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide areas with each closure being treated separately. Please stay tuned for additional information when the roadway opens again. SEE ATTACHED CLOSURE MAP.

 

An update will be provided mid-morning tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 18th.

 

Storm & Road Conditions, 1/17/19

2 pm – about two hours ago, I asked Susana of Cal Trans for an idea about when we could expect an assessment of the road situation to be available. She informed me she hoped to hear in an hour. So far, no update.

REMINDER: As one motorist found out, tow trucks are not permitted within the closure area. This one was by Esalen.

1:50 PM 4 [8] NO TOW COMPANIES ABLE TO RESP, DUE TO ROAD CLOSURES ON SR1