Big Sur Station / Multi-Agency Facility

OVERNIGHT REPAIR WORK ON HIGHWAY 1 AT ROCKY CREEK UPDATE

ROAD WORK DELAYS AND CLOSURES UPDATE: 9-24-2024

Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024

District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties

Contact: Kevin Drabinski or Genelle Padilla

Phone: (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALTRANS MODIFIES PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED SCHEDULE FOR OVERNIGHT CLOSURES OF HIGHWAY 1 AT ROCKY CREEK

MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans will continue with emergency repairs to Highway 1 near the Rocky Creek Bridge, 12 miles south of Carmel. Caltrans previously stabilized and reinforced Highway 1 at this location after a March 30 slipout resulted in a loss of a section of the southbound lane.

Upcoming Repair Schedule Update

Travelers will encounter an intermittent closure of Hwy. 1 at Rocky Creek with flaggers from 10 pm to 6 am, on Wednesday Sept. 25, and a full overnight closure of Hwy. 1 at Rocky Creek from 10 pm to 6 am, on Thursday Sept. 26. 

No closures are scheduled for Friday Sept. 27 and Saturday Sept. 28.

Five consecutive nights of full overnight closures are set from 10 pm to 6 am on Sunday Sept. 29 thru Thursday Oct. 3.  The need for additional full overnight closures for Friday Oct. 4 and the following weekend will be determined based on progress with the concrete pours as crews continue with construction of the reinforced concrete support columns.
Updates will be provided regarding any additional closures for the week of Oct. 6.

Overnight Closures Needed for Construction of Support Columns

Crews are entering a critical phase of construction of the southbound section of the Rocky Creek viaduct. 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.

Because this phase of construction involves drilling and concrete work in open holes, it is necessary for crews to maximize the number of 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.

Daytime travelers will continue to enjoy access through the repair site driving on the northbound lane and directed by a temporary signal system.

Once construction of the southbound section of the Rocky Creek viaduct is complete, travel will be directed onto this southbound section and work will begin on construction of the northbound portion of the viaduct.

The estimate for completion of the Rocky Creek viaduct is summer 2025 and is dependent on conditions encountered during construction. The contractor for this project is Gordon N. Ball, Inc. of Alamo, CA.

Highway 1 remains closed 40 miles south of Carmel due to the Regent’s Slide.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X/Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Our crews deserve to get home safely too.

Drive slowly and carefully in work zones.

BIG SUR AREA UPDATE - SEPT 2024

BIG SUR AREA STATE PARKS

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park- open for day use and camping - reservations encouraged. See park unit webpage for more information.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns:   
The parking lot, restroom, Partington Cove Trail and Waterfall Overlook Trail at Julia Pfeiffer Burns are now open.  All trails east of Highway 1 (including Ewoldsen, Canyon, Tan Bark and Tin House) remain closed until further notice due to damage caused by the Dolan Fire and recent storms. See park unit webpage for more information.

Andrew Molera: : Hiking trails and beach walking are open for day use. NOTE: Campground is closed indefinitely.

Limekiln: Beach and restroom facilities are open for day use.  NOTE:  Limekiln Campground will be closed through April 1, 2021. Hiking trails are CLOSED due to fire damage.

The Pt Sur State Historic Park - open for tours. Please visit www.pointsur.org or call 831-625-4419 for tour information.

Closures:

• The Soberanes Canyon Trail in Garrapata State Park –located on the east side of Highway 1 - is CLOSED due to dangerous trail conditions.

• Limekiln Campground is closed indefinitely due to prior flood damage.

• John Little State Natural Reserve is closed indefinitely.

About Big Sur Station

The Big Sur Station, a cooperative Multi-Agency Facility, was created in 1989 to serve as an information center and emergency coordination location for the community of Big Sur and its visitors.

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center at the Big Sur Station is the information hub for the Big Sur area. Located a half-mile south of the entrance to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, it carries wilderness maps and guides, last-minute camping supplies, books and gifts.

The Visitor Center at the Big Sur Station is operated by the Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA). The LPFA works with the Forest Service and forest-users to help promote safe, sustainable forest use through education and boots on the ground projects and programs. Our mission is to care for the Los Padres Forest, ensuring it thrives and remains safe and open for the people to use and enjoy. The LPFA share the Forest Service motto of Caring for the Land and Serving the People. We are committed to help people enjoy their time in the Los Padres in a sustainable and respectful manner.

Hiking & Backpacking

PINE RIDGE TRAIL + SYKES HOT SPRINGS
Due to the effects of the Soberanes Fire, THE PINE RIDGE TRAIL, SYKES HOT SPRINGS and much of the Monterey Ranger District within the Los Padres Forest in Big Sur IS CLOSED.  For more information, call the USFS Monterey District office in King City (831) 385-5434.

MORE INFORMATION:
Ventana Wilderness Alliance Trail

MORE INFORMATION:
bigsurtrailmap.net
hikelospadres.net

Camping

STATE PARKS

For other camping options located between Santa Cruz and Big Sur, download CAMPING ON THE COAST.