A section of California’s scenic Highway 1 leading to the famous Big Sur coastline reopened to 24-hour traffic on Friday after the situation had stabilized. storm-induced landslide This caused part of one lane of traffic to fall into the ocean and hamper tourism.
According to the California Department of Transportation, the gap has not yet been closed, but after placing steel and concrete in the rock, a temporary signal system was activated to allow alternating north-south traffic in the undamaged lane.
The opening came eight days ahead of schedule and just in time for summer travel.
“Highway 1 is the crown jewel of California’s highway system, and our crews have worked nonstop for the past month and a half to ensure Californians have unfettered access to this iconic area of our state,” Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said in a statement. This week.
Big Sur is a 90-mile (145-kilometer) stretch of the state’s central coast where misty, forested mountains rise above the ocean. Much of the highway is located high on the cliffs, offering stunning views.
Highway 1 is usually a must for California visitors traveling between Los Angeles and San Francisco, but the approach to Big Sur from the south has long been blocked by previous landslides requiring extensive repairs, so the approach from the north remains the area’s lifeline.
After heavy rains from a landslide south of Monterey on March 30, about 6 feet (almost 2 meters) of the southbound road and a retaining wall supporting the highway fell about 170 feet (52 meters) into the ocean below.
Caltrans determined the other lane was usable, but traffic was limited to two convoys per day entering and leaving Big Sur. Initially, only residents and essential workers were allowed to join the columns. Each time, the crane had to be removed to make room for the columns, said Kevin Drabinski, a Caltrans spokesman.
In April, Kirk Gafill, president of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, told the San Francisco Chronicle that total losses for Big Sur businesses since the fall exceeded $1 million a day.
A major overhaul of the highway is being designed and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2025, Caltrans said.