A section of Highway 1 in Big Sur was closed on Dec. 14 because of a rockslide. It’s unknown when the road will reopen.
CaltransA rockslide triggered by heavy rains closed a section of Highway 1 along California’s Big Sur coastline on Wednesday.
Caltrans shut down the road between Ragged Point and Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn to allow workers to remove debris and make repairs. Assessments and updates on closure parameters will be made daily, Caltrans said.
The closure comes after a moisture-rich storm known as an atmospheric river stalled over Big Sur’s Santa Lucia Mountains and dumped copious amounts of rain. Nearly 10 inches of rain fell Sunday through Tuesday on Anderson Peak in the mountain range. Another storm is expected Wednesday into Thursday.
Caltrans said it will have a better idea of when the road will reopen on Friday.
“Our field assessments will continue today and we expect to have a determination on the duration of the closure by this Friday,” Kevin Drabinski, a spokesperson for Caltrans, wrote in an email. “This is looking like a shorter-term closure rather than a longer one. But again we have rain in the forecast for tonight and all the ingredients for a rockfall recipe are still very much in play.
“I would also note that the northern end of the closure is below Big Sur proper and travel to Big Sur from the Bay Area is still very much open to the travelling public.”
ALSO READ: What to know about the next storm taking aim at the Bay Area
The atmospheric river prompted evacuation orders and warnings near the River Fire and Dolan Fire burn scars in Big Sur due to the potential for debris flows. As of Wednesday morning, no major debris flows were reported and many of the evacuation orders and warnings were lifted or downgraded.
Dec. 15, 2021Updated: Dec. 15, 2021 9:50 a.m. A section of Highway 1 in Big Sur was closed on Dec. 14 because of a rockslide. It’s unknown when the road will reopen.Caltrans A rockslide triggered by heavy rains closed a section of Highway 1 along California’s Big Sur coastline on Wednesday. Caltrans shut down the road between Ragged Point and Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn to allow workers to remove debris and make repairs. Assessments and updates on closure parameters will be made daily, Caltrans said. The closure comes after a moisture-rich storm known as an atmospheric river stalled over Big Sur’s Santa Lucia Mountains and dumped copious amounts of rain. Nearly 10 inches of rain fell Sunday through Tuesday on Anderson Peak in the mountain range. Another storm is expected Wednesday into Thursday. Caltrans said it will have a better idea of when the road will reopen on Friday. “Our field assessments will continue today and we expect to have a determination on the duration of the closure by this Friday,” Kevin Drabinski, a spokesperson for Caltrans, wrote in an email. “This is looking like a shorter-term closure rather than a longer one. But again we have rain in the forecast for tonight and all the ingredients for a rockfall recipe are still very much in play. “I would also note that the northern end of the closure is below Big Sur proper and travel to Big Sur from the Bay Area is still very much open to the travelling public.” ALSO READ: What to know about the next storm taking aim at the Bay Area The atmospheric river prompted evacuation orders and warnings near the River Fire and Dolan Fire burn scars in Big Sur due to the potential for debris flows. As of Wednesday morning, no major debris flows were reported and many of the evacuation orders and warnings were lifted or downgraded.