Until there is a change of circumstances, or new information being offered, this will be the last update until things change. If the placement of the closure changes, the report on the bridge is updated with new information, or anything new is offered other than new photos, I will not be posting on my blog until then. There are other things to cover.
SR-1 FULL CLOSURE CONTINUES–RAGGED PT (SLO PM 72.87) TO JUST SOUTH OF PALO COLORADO (PM 61.5).

*IMPORTANT NOTE – CALTRANS PFEIFFER CYN. BRIDGE (PM 45.5) UPDATE:
· DUE TO EXTREME SAFETY CONCERNS AND THE BRIDGE’S DYNAMIC INSTABILITY, EVERYONE needs to STAY CLEAR and not get within 100 feet of either side of the bridge. This closure will be enforced.

· Drilling began Thursday, February 23 and will continue for approximately two weeks. Caltrans geotechnical and bridge experts from around the state are working as quickly as possible toward the bridge replacement. Drilling investigation findings are targeted for March 17.

· On the maintenance side, our goal is to make progress with the slides to regain access on both sides of the Pfeiffer Cyn. Bridge:
· On the south, work is being done 24/7 to repair the road at Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6).
· On the north, there are still areas of concern with fallen trees, mud and slope instability.

Locals may travel in a truck, SUV or van, daytime only:
1) between Ragged. Pt. and Limekiln Crk Bridge (PM 21), (there are flaggers checking ID’s at Ragged Pt.) and
2) between just north of Pfeiffer Cyn Bridge and Carmel.

*We realize that access is limited to locals and please be aware that [SOME] businesses remain open.*

Another update regarding the Highway 1 Big Sur Coast will be provided around mid-day Thursday, March 2 or sooner if conditions change.

NOTE: For information on emergency services only (not Caltrans road inquiries) for the Big Sur Coast, you may contact Gerry Malais, Mon. Co. OES via email at: malaisg@co.monterey.ca.us or Maia Carroll, Mon. Co. OES PIO at carrollm@co.monterey.ca.us or via phone at (831) 796-3092.

Susana Z. Cruz nature-flower-blue-motif[1]
Caltrans District 5
Acting Manager
Public Information Office

From Fire Chief Cheryl Goetz, Mid-Coast Fire Brigade.

Work party on Saturday, March 4, 2017, 9:00 AM.

Able bodied folks needed to help remove large log jams in Palo Colorado to prepare for the next storm. Equipment also needed if you can share – to chain out the large material.

If you can help, please meet me on Highway 1 so we can load everyone in pickups to take as few trucks up the road as possible as road restrictions still apply. I believe we have this one time shot, so getting this done before another heavy rain is key to saving the lower canyon road for everyone.

Bring your lunch and know it’s been cold and wet! This is where many hands make quicker work.

These photos are from Monday, 2/27/17. All these photos are between the River Inn and Palo Colorado Canyon, except the last one, which is near Fernwood. The slip out is on Lighthouse flats (2 photos) and the slide is at Hurricane.

SR-1 FULL CLOSURE CONTINUES–RAGGED PT (SLO PM 72.87) TO JUST SOUTH OF PALO COLORADO (PM 61.5).

*IMPORTANT NOTE – CALTRANS PFEIFFER CYN. BRIDGE (PM 45.5) UPDATE:
· DUE TO EXTREME SAFETY CONCERNS AND THE BRIDGE’S DYNAMIC INSTABILITY, EVERYONE needs to STAY CLEAR and not get within 100 feet of either side of the bridge. This closure will be enforced.

· Drilling began Thursday, February 23 and will continue for approximately two weeks. Caltrans geotechnical and bridge experts from around the state are working as quickly as possible toward the bridge replacement. Drilling investigation findings are targeted for March 17.

· On the maintenance side, our goal is to make progress with the slides to regain access on both sides of the Pfeiffer Cyn. Bridge:
· On the south, work is being done 24/7 to repair the road at Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6).
· On the north, there are still areas of concern with fallen trees, mud and slope instability.

Locals may travel in a truck, SUV or van, daytime only:
1) between Ragged. Pt. and Limekiln Crk Bridge (PM 21) and
2) between just north of Pfeiffer Cyn Bridge and Carmel.

*We realize that access is limited to locals and please be aware that [some] businesses remain open.*

Another update regarding the Highway 1 Big Sur Coast will be provided around mid-day Wednesday, March 1 or sooner if conditions change.

NOTE: For information on emergency services only (not Caltrans road inquiries) for the Big Sur Coast, you may contact Gerry Malais, Mon. Co. OES via email at: malaisg@co.monterey.ca.us or Maia Carroll, Mon. Co. OES PIO at carrollm@co.monterey.ca.us or via phone at (831) 796-3092.

Susana Z. Cruz nature-flower-blue-motif[1]
Caltrans District 5
Acting Manager
Public Information Office

The House That Big Sur Built

Don Case and his family lost their beautiful hand-crafted home on Castro Ridge in the 2008 Basin Complex Fire. CPOA, with leadership from Mike Gilson, orchestrated a fund raiser for the family. CPOA then matched the funds raised providing a little over $60,000 that was placed in a fund to be drawn down on as materials were purchased. Mike Gilson, Arden Handshy and Rob Carver helped the family with the onerous permitting process. Other professionals in the community stepped up to provide the archeological documentation, structural work and more. And friends from up and down the Big Sur Coast donated their time to help build the Case Family’s new home – old fashioned barn-raising style.

The family has had its share of challenges over these last 8 years. Family member Joyce Duffy did not live to see the project finished. Don’s health has been a challenge as well. But the family stayed the course.

We have just been informed by Gabe Case, Don’s son, that the building permit, issued 8 years ago, was finaled last week.

Congratulations to the Case Family!

Written by Lisa K.

Photos by Scott Moffat from North Coast Ridge Rd. Yesterday, Sunday 2/26/17

 

1:34 PM 3 [5] LOCALS ALLOWED THRU F/PALO COLORADO TO PFEIFFER BRIDGE / UNESCORTED DURING DAYLIGHT HRS / MUST USE CAUTION / AND YIELD TO ANY CALTRANS EQUIP AND PERSONNEL

This is actually before  (or north) of the “u” turn over the Little Sur River, and after Hurricane Point, but closer to the Little Sur. this is posted on CHP website:
10:45 AM 2 [4] CT DIST 5 HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF NEW SLIDE NEAR MPM 57.59 – RDWY IS STARTING TO GIVE WAY W/CRACKS 1-2FT DEEP AND 1-1/5FT WIDE
10:43 AM 1 [2] SR1 IN BIG SUR IS CLOSED F/ PALO COLORADO (MPM 61) DOWN TO THE MTY/SLO COUNTY LINE

Not good. Not good at all. And the OCR is a friggin’ river, so that’s a no-go. I posted these 3 days ago. These are the photos of where the OCR was…

Here are a few photos taken by the CHP last night of the problem

9:20 am -From a friend:

“Good morning! A Big Sur neighbor just called me from town to say that he was turned back at Palo Colorado in the last 30 minutes because there is a slide blocking both lanes near Hurricane Point. I called My 911 communications desk who said they didn’t know of any current slides but had a report of a slide near MM57 very early this morning. there is no word on CHP traffic site about this new closure. Thought I’d pass it on.”

I have not been able to confirm this through CHP or other, at this point. Will update when I know.

Big Sur Health Center will reopen Monday morning at 10 am. We finally have power and water. Yeah! We hope to have phones by Monday.

Until then, for any medically-related concerns or requests, please continue to contact our answering service through our main number, 667-2580, and someone will be available to help you.

Specialized Helicopters will be running shuttles in and out of Big Sur this weekend from Monterey Airport. Each leg, in or out, is $375 each way for the flight or $125/seat. You can carry a small amount of luggage on your lap but if your luggage needs takes up another seat you will need to buy that seat. Please call Specialized Helicopters so that we can optimize each flight and to keep the flights full and affordable for you and make it possible for Specialized to run these shuttles for us.

Flights are limited.

Call Specialized Helicopters at (831) 763-2244 to reserve a seat.
http://www.specializedheli.com