A section of California’s scenic Highway 1 leading to Big Sur has reopened to around-the-clock traffic after a rockslide caused by storms forced a closure.
The rockslide resulted in a chunk of one lane falling into the ocean, obstructing the highway and hampering tourism.
The big picture: The damaged lane has not been fully repaired, but steel and concrete were placed into the cliff to stabilize it.
- A temporary signal system has been activated, allowing alternating north-south traffic on the undamaged lane.
- The reopening of the highway came eight days ahead of schedule, just in time for the summer travel season.
- Although a permanent repair is being designed and expected to be completed in spring 2025, the temporary solution allows for uninterrupted travel until then.
What they’re saying: “Highway 1 is the jewel of the California highway system and our crews have been working non-stop for the last month and a half so Californians can have unrestricted access to this iconic area of our state,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares in a statement.
