Here’s a bird’s-eye view of the slip out at Rocky Creek Bridge on Hwy 1 a short distance south of Carmel. Last March 30, a large segment of the cliff slid down into the Pacific and took a big bite out of the southbound lane. Photo courtesy Caltrans
Caltrans is in the middle of a 2-week overnight closure of Hwy 1 through Big Sur, as crews enter a critical phase of repairing a road slip out that happened last March.
The closure is near the Rocky Creek Bridge, about 12 miles south of Carmel and will happen overnight through Oct. 4, according to a news release from Caltrans Dist. 5 in San Luis Obispo. The repairs are part of an estimated $20-$30 million project and being done under an emergency order from the director.
“Crews are entering a critical phase of construction of the southbound section of the Rocky Creek viaduct,” reads the news release. “This viaduct is a bridge-like structure and during this next phase reinforced concrete support columns will be cast to support the weight of the structure.”
The State is racing against an approaching winter and this phase of the repairs, “involves drilling and concrete work in open holes,” Caltrans said. “It is necessary for crews to work consecutive shifts with full overnight closures so that the integrity of the bored holes is preserved. Working on an uninterrupted schedule also allows for this phase to be completed in advance of wet weather, reducing the chance for water intrusion and delays to the project schedule.”
Motorists “will encounter a full closure of Hwy 1 at Rocky Creek from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., to allow for construction of the reinforced concrete support columns.” The roadway will also be closed on the weekend.
During the day, a traffic signal will regulate traffic, which will be diverted into a single lane through the slide area. Once this side is done, they will switch.
“Once construction of the southbound section of the Rocky Creek viaduct is complete,” the release said, “travel will be directed onto this southbound section and work will begin on construction of the northbound portion of the viaduct.” Caltrans estimates the work won’t be done here until next summer, provided this coming winter doesn’t make it worse.
The contractor for this project is Gordon N. Ball, Inc. of Alamo, Calif.
But what exactly is the work your tax dollars are doing? According to Caltrans Dist. 5’s webpage on the project, “On March 30, at post mile 60.0 on U.S. Route 1 between the Rocky Creek Bridge and Rocky Creek Viaduct, a slip out occurred, resulting in the undermining of the southbound lane.
“Emergency temporary stabilization was achieved by installing horizontal and vertical rock dowels with mesh-reinforced shotcrete applied to the vertical face. One-way traffic control was established using temporary railing and an automated traffic signal.
“The emergency project will continue with the construction of a permanent structure consisting of a viaduct to support the roadway with one lane of traffic in each direction. The emergency project will also include repairs to the concrete seawall at the base of the cliff to prevent additional cliff retreat and to provide stability to the roadway and proposed viaduct.”
But Rocky Creek isn’t the only segment of the world-famous Hwy 1 that’s being repaired. “Highway 1 remains closed 40 miles south of Carmel,” the release said, “due to the Regent’s Slide.”
Road information and updates can be found on Caltrans Dist. 5 social media platforms: on X at: @CaltransD5; Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5); and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.
