Highway 1 reopens after storm debris blocked road, extended closure
Caltrans has announced the reopening of the Highway 1 link between San Luis Obispo County and Big Sur.
On Dec. 12, the state road agency closed a stretch of nearly 45 miles between Ragged Point and Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn ahead of the blockbuster storm that drenched the area with nearly a dozen inches of rain on Monday and Tuesday.
The storm triggered slides that sent rocks and debris down to the roadway, blocking access and creating dangerous conditions. The agency extended the closure temporarily while cleanup work continued.
The road reopened to traffic at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Caltrans said.
According to Caltrans, damage repairs at the Cow Cliffs slide and debris removal at Paul’s Slide “have advanced to a point where crews can effect these repairs with the roadway fully reopened.”
The state road agency warns that “travelers should expect traffic controls during daylight hours for the next several days, and potentially into the weekend, as crews continue emergency repairs to prepare for next week’s storms.”
Papich Construction is doing the $1.3-million repair job under an emergency contract.
Caltrans reminded travelers to allow extra time when driving this winter and to take into account weather conditions, especially when traveling on the scenic Cambria-to-Carmel byway.
