Current Emergency Information

Date

Time

Significant Event

Starting Monday, April 29, Caltrans will open the twice-daily convoys on Highway 1 through the Rocky Creek slip-out to all members of the traveling public.

The convoys will run from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Highway 1 will continue to be closed at Rocky Creek the remainder of the day so crews can continue the repair work to stay on schedule to reopen the roadway by Memorial Day.

The public will have access in both directions during the morning convoy. In the afternoon, the public will be able to use the northbound convoy to leave the area; however, only local residents, essential workers and drivers with existing travel reservations will be allowed to join the southbound convoy. There is no exit to the south.

Caltrans today announced it anticipates completing the initial repair work to stabilize the edge of Highway 1 south of the Rocky Creek Bridge by Memorial Day, May 27. This would mark the end of the current convoys and allow alternating one-way traffic through the area without an escort using 24/7 signalized traffic control.

“We know how important Highway 1 is to the regional economy, especially during the summer, so we are working to reopen the roadway as quickly and safely as possible while at the same time making it more resilient to future extreme weather events,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. Since the March 30 slip-out that temporarily closed the roadway, Caltrans has conducted geotechnical assessments, widened and improved drainage in the northbound shoulder area, placed concrete barriers along the centerline to channelize convoy passage, and hired a contractor to drill, install, and grout vertical rock dowels through the southbound lane pavement adjacent to the existing west edge of the roadway.

This will be followed by a longer phase of the work in which crews will drill, install, and grout horizontal rock dowels. Once the reinforcing dowels are in place, the repair design calls for crews to install reinforced shotcrete to the vertical face of the repair to help stabilize the roadway along the cliffside. The drainage improvements will also help the roadway better withstand extreme weather events, which are becoming more common in the area due to climate change.

The construction timeline is subject to change due to a number of factors, including wind and rain. Installation of the horizontal rock dowels requires a crane to hold a basket with crewmembers in it over the edge of the roadway. Winds cannot exceed 25 mph for these activities. The repair schedule may also be impacted by rain events and any change in site conditions.

Until Caltrans stabilizes Highway 1, it will continue using twice daily convoys to move only local residents and essential workers through the area. Limiting the volume of vehicles through the repair site helps to manage risks associated with conditions at the slip out and with emergency response. Once the roadway edge is stabilized, crews will install a temporary signal and open Highway 1 to unrestricted traffic under alternating one-way traffic control. One-way traffic control will continue until further roadway work is completed and the roadway has cleared safety inspections.

Daily convoys at 7 am and 5 pm through the Rocky Creek slip out on Highway 1 will be cancelled on Saturday April 13, due to forecasted rain. Convoys are expected to resume at 7 am on Sunday April 14.

This cancellation is based on location specific forecast from the National Weather Service.

The current convoys are intended for the use of local residents and essential workers only. Limiting the volume of vehicles through the repair site is one strategy which is helping manage the risks associated with conditions at the rockslide and with emergency response.

Daily convoys on Highway 1 through the Rocky Creek repair site, previously scheduled for 8 am and 4 pm, will move to a 7 am and 5 pm schedule starting Wednesday April 10. The new 7 am and 5 pm convoy hours were decided on after consultations with community stakeholders and in collaboration with the Monterey County Department of Emergency Management.

Convoys are intended for the use of local residents and essential workers only. Limiting the volume of vehicles through the repair site is one strategy which is helping manage the risks associated with conditions at the slip out and with emergency response.

Public safety personnel have been consistent in their support for limiting convoys to residents and essential workers. There are limited public safety resources staged south of the closure area. Additionally, emergency responses through the closure area are complicated by the presence of heavy machinery staged in the northbound lane which could take up to an hour to remove.

Caltrans is reviewing daily updates from the National Weather Service which is forecasting rain later this week. An update on any possible cancellation of convoys will be provided on Wednesday April 10.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has lifted the Evacuation Warning for areas of Big Sur south of the Highway 1 Rocky Creek Slip Out (Post Mile 60) to the Dolan Slide (Post Mile 29.5).

A hazard advisory remains in place for Highway 1 at Rocky Creek, as repair work at the site continues to limit access in and out of Big Sur. Visitors are recommended to avoid the area. Daily Caltrans convoys may be suspended due to storms or changes in site safety.

Residents are encouraged to maintain adequate supplies of medications and medical equipment to ensure preparedness in the event of future impacts to EMS transportation and access to hospitals and medical services beyond the slip out. Continue Monitoring local media, social media, and Alert Monterey County for updates. Call 9-1-1 if you have a life-threatening emergency.

The daily convoys on Highway 1 through the site of the Rocky Creek Slip Out will continue daily at 8 am and 4 pm following assessments by Caltrans engineers this weekend. These convoys are primarily intended for residents and essential employees. Convoys are expected to occur all this week due to favorable weather conditions.

Caltrans Engineers and contractor forces continue to monitor the site for any significant changes and the public will be advised of any modifications to this schedule.

The installation of K-Rail, crash cushions and temporary striping at the site was completed yesterday. Ongoing site preparations will continue today. The Contractor is scheduled to mobilize on Monday, April 8 with the drilling of vertical anchors in the southbound lane of Route 1 to begin on Tuesday, April 9.

The contractor is working with Caltrans through the weekend with the goal of having a schedule for the completion of the temporary roadway stabilization. Details of this operation, work hours and timetable will be announced when plans are finalized.

Updates on the status of the closure of Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek Bridge will be provided as more information becomes available.

The daily convoys on Highway 1 through the site of the Rocky Creek Slip Out are expected to resume on Saturday, April 6 at 8 am and again at 4 pm pending final assessments by Caltrans engineers scheduled to take place early tomorrow morning.

Caltrans Engineers and maintenance staff continue to monitor the site for any significant changes and the public will be advised of any modifications to this schedule.

Activities this week included the addition of gravel to the drainage ditch off the shoulder of the northbound lane to ensure proper drainage through the site. Work was also completed to pave over a gravel-filled ditch and part of the dirt shoulder of the northbound lane to gain extra room in the travel lane.

Caltrans is continuing to focus on repair strategies to stabilize the edge of the roadway with details of this operation, work hours and timetable to be announced when details are certain. Work activities to commence this weekend include the installation of barrier to protect highway workers and temporary re-striping to accommodate equipment expected to be mobilized to this area.

Updates on the status of the closure of Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek Bridge will be provided as more information becomes available.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for areas of the Big Sur Community south of the Highway 1 Rocky Creek Slip out (Post Mile 60.0) to the Dolan Slide (Post Mile 29.5) ahead of the forecasted showers and thunderstorms.

Residents may evacuate via Highway 1 to the north during the last convoy at 4 PM, on Wed, April 3prior to a full road closure at the Rocky Creek Slip out. If you are in an Evacuation Warning Zone, consider leaving before the road closure. The road is anticipated to be closed for several days until the weather event passes through the area. If you feel unsafe, medically fragile, or are unprepared to be isolated for several days, leave immediately. Forecasted storms may cause additional damage along Highway 1.

Emergency Medical Services may be unable to evacuate patients beyond the road closures. Those experiencing an emergency medical condition may be unable to leave the area to access hospitals or other medical services. Medically fragile individuals are encouraged to gather their medications along with any needed medical equipment and evacuate the area. Check with your neighbors to ensure they have been made aware of this alert. Monitor local media and social media. Call 9-1-1 if you have a life-threatening emergency.

Due to rain in the forecast, daily convoy passage on Highway 1 will be cancelled for Thursday April 4, and Friday April 5, at the repair site south of the Rocky Creek Bridge.

Crews will be on site during all rain events to inspect for any changes in site conditions.
Convoys are expected to resume on Saturday April 6, at 8 am. Engineers will continue to monitor the site for any significant changes and the public will be advised of any modifications to this schedule.

Note: Convoy access is limited to residents and essential workers only. The reduction of vehicles through the repair site is part of risk management efforts. These convoys are intended for essential travel only.

Engineering and construction crews continue their assessments of the slip out. In the coming days crews will place concrete barriers along 500 feet of the centerline of the roadway. Crews are focusing on strategies for stabilizing the edge of the roadway.

Updates on the status of the closure of Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek Bridge will be provided as more information becomes available.

Caltrans engineers continue to assess a slip out of the roadway on Highway 1 just south of the Rocky Creek Bridge. The initial slip out and closure of the road took place on the afternoon of Saturday March 30.

Crews are continuing to gather information at the site which will inform next steps to stabilize the edge of the roadway and design a permanent repair. In the next several days crews will place 500 feet of concrete barriers along the centerline of the roadway. This will help define a channel for convoy vehicles to pass through and will provide protection for workers working on repairs.

Convoys are scheduled in the north and southbound directions through the repair site at 8 am and 4 pm daily. These convoys are operating under close supervision by engineers at the site. As announced earlier, convoys will be cancelled due to any observed change in site conditions and due to wet weather.

The forecast or the Big Sur coast calls for possible rain in the coming days. An update will be provided should there be a need to cancel convoys later this week.

Updates on the status of the closure of Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek Bridge will be provided as more information becomes available. Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Caltrans engineers have completed initial assessments this morning at Highway 1 south of Rocky Creek Bridge where a full closure is in place due to a slip out of the roadway which took place on Saturday March 30.

Engineers have determined that under close supervision, travel will be possible in the remaining northbound lane. A convoy will be initiated at 12 pm today to allow for vehicle passage through the closure. At 12 noon today, the convoy will lead vehicles first in the northbound direction. After vehicles clear in that direction, a convoy will lead vehicles through in the southbound direction. A second convoy operation will be scheduled at 4 pm today, again with travel first in the northbound direction.

On Monday April 1, and for the next several days, a convoy will lead vehicles through the slip out area at 8 am and again at 4 pm. Crews will be on site to observe the roadway as convoys pass alongside the slip out area. Updates on the status of the closure of Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek Bridge will be provided as more information becomes available.

The California Highway Patrol and Caltrans have notified the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office of a road closure. Highway 1 is closed at Palo Colorado due to a slip-out near Rocky Creek Bridge. The southbound lanes have been lost and northbound lanes potentially impacted. Caltrans engineers will assess conditions this evening/tomorrow morning. The current closure now extends south to Limekiln.
Check with your neighbors to ensure they have been made aware of this alert. Monitor local media and social media. Law, Fire, and EMS response services continue to be available. Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergency.