MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for Monterey County from Sunday, April 27 through Saturday, May 3 – newest information is in bold text. Please keep in mind that construction work is weather-dependent.
Highway 1: Full Closure: Big Sur Marathon: Big Sur Station – Rio Road: April 27
There will be full closure of northbound and southbound Highway 1 for the Big Sur Marathon from 4 am to 1 pm. The start of the race is at the Big Sur Station (Post Mile 45.64) to just past the finish line at Rio Road in Carmel (PM 72.92).
Only emergency vehicles and scheduled CHP-led caravans are allowed on Highway 1 during the race. If travel for local residents is necessary between 4 am and 1 pm, travelers may join the CHP-led caravan on the schedule available at the following link:
For additional information about the Big Sur International Marathon on Sunday April 27, please visit: https://www.bigsurmarathon.org/
Highway 1: Full Closure: Rocky Creek Bridge: April 27 – April 28
There will be full overnight closure of northbound and southbound Highway 1 at Rocky Creek Bridge (12 miles south of Carmel) for the deployment of equipment to conduct emergency seawall repair work from 10 pm to 6 am.
Highway 1: Bixby Creek Bridge – Palo Colorado: April 27 – April 28
There will be full overnight closure of northbound and southbound Highway 1 between the Bixby Creek Bridge and Palo Colorado for concrete pouring work from 9 pm to 6 am.
Highway 1: Rocky Creek Bridge: May 4 – May 5
There will be full overnight closure of northbound and southbound Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek Bridge for seawall repair work from 10 pm to 6 am.
There are Earth Day events all over the world. If you go to this website: http://earthday.org
you can find one close to you. Here are two examples, one in Cambria and one in Carmel. Great day to honor Mother Earth.
The images below are screen shots and thus those are not active links. Go directly to the website earthday.org to get to live links or to find an earth day activity or event in your areas. Really, this map is world wide with “pins” you can click on to learn what is happening where you are.
A week ago, I sent a message to my health care provider that I would run out of blood pressure medicine in a week so could she reorder more for me to pick up at the Palo Alto VA as I had 3 appts up there, and I would get it faster if I just pick it up rather than mail it.
After I finished my morning appointments, but before my afternoon one, I went to the Pharmacy to pick up my order.
The Pharmacist: We have a mailing address on file for you, so we have to mail your prescription.
Me: But I specifically asked that it be held here for me to pick up.
Pharmacist: No, we have to mail it.
Me: I took my last blood pressure pill yesterday, counting on picking up my new prescription today.
P: I can give you a 7 day emergency supply.
Me: (on the verge of losing it) Have you heard of the slide that closed Big Sur in Feb of 2024? Well that slide is between my post office and me. My postmaster has to drive around every Friday to deliver our mail, so it takes a week to get to my rural box, and usually a week or more for me to pick it up. One week supply is not going to cut it. I need a minimum of two.
P: I am only authorized to give you a week.
Me: Do you want me to have a stroke? (Eyes closed)…breathe in for a count of 5, breathe out for a count of 8. Breathe in for a count of 5 and out for a count of 8. This went on for a good 30 seconds in front of the pharmacist.
P: Your prescription will be ready at 12:30 pm.
Me: Is this for two weeks?
P: It is for 90 days.
Me: Thank you
12:30 pm
P: I am sorry, but we only had 7 days in stock. I have requested overnight delivery, so it will be here tomorrow.
Me: Thank you, I’ll be back and I am not leaving without that prescription.
I and my neighbors have been dealing with these kinds of issues since February of 2024. We adapt and overcome. How many of you could do the same? Is your “inconvenience” that you can’t reach your surf spot or your favorite camping spot? It is so much more than that for us.
Caltrans, San Luis Obispo? Sacramento…are you listening???
Post Script: It was ready by 9 an the next morning when I stopped it to pick it up.
From Easters Past. Now, Jo-anne is in Mendocino and Debbie is in San Diego. But when they were here we had lovely Easters at Jo-anne’s place with wonderful people and food.
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 #36
CANCELLED: FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURE OF HIGHWAY 1 AT ROCKY CREEK
SET FOR THURSDAY APRIL 17 HAS BEEN CANCELLED
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 Cancelled For Thursday, April 17
The full overnight closure of Hwy. 1 at Rocky Creek, scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 17 from 10 pm to 6 am has been cancelled. Highway 1 will provide direct and immediate access to Big Sur and its amenities over the weekend and in to next week.
Working during two previous overnights, crews were able to use 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.
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 #36
CANCELLED: FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURE OF HIGHWAY 1 AT ROCKY CREEK
SET FOR THURSDAY APRIL 17 HAS BEEN CANCELLED
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 Cancelled For Thursday, April 17
The full overnight closure of Hwy. 1 at Rocky Creek, scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 17 from 10 pm to 6 am has been cancelled. Highway 1 will provide direct and immediate access to Big Sur and its amenities over the weekend and in to next week.
Working during two previous overnights, crews were able to use 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.
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
27 MILES OF HIGHWAY 1 TO CLOSE FOR BIG SUR MARATION
SUNDAY, APRIL 27 FROM 4 AM TO 1 PM
MONTEREY COUNTY – The Big Sur International Marathon returns to Highway 1 on Sunday, April 27. On that Sunday, just over 27 miles Highway 1 on the Big Sur Coast will be closed from 4 am to 1 pm to accommodate this world-renowned event which draws participants from around the world. Nearly 10,000 athletes, thousands of spectators, and hundreds of volunteers will be taking part.
On Sunday, April 27, between 4 am and 1 pm, Highway 1 will be closed from near the start of the race at Big Sur Station (Post Mile 45.64) to just past the finish line at Rio Road in Carmel (PM 72.92).
Only emergency vehicles and scheduled CHP-led caravans are allowed on Highway 1 during the race. If travel for local residents is necessary between 4 am and 1 pm, travelers may join the CHP-led caravan on the schedule available at the following link:
For additional information about the Big Sur International Marathon on Sunday April 27, please visit: https://www.bigsurmarathon.org/
CHP will be on hand to assist with traffic control while message and directional signs will be in place to alert travelers.
Congratulations to all the race participants and their support teams.
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.
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.
