CARMEL, California – A significant landslide during a powerful storm over the weekend led to a 40-mile closure of Highway 1 in California. The incident, which occurred near Rocky Creek Bridge, resulted in portions of the road collapsing down a cliff, stranding around 1,600 individuals who had to be evacuated.
The landslide caused extensive damage to the highway’s southbound lane, which crumbled and fell into the ocean. Engineers are assessing the situation while the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced the closure of the highway at Palo Colorado, 14 miles south of Monterey. Additionally, the highway was shut down between Limekiln State Park and Lime Creek.
Efforts are underway to stabilize the roadway, with Caltrans urging people to avoid unnecessary travel in the impacted area. State parks in the affected region, including Point Sur, Andrew Molera, Pfeiffer Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns, and Limekiln, have been closed to visitors and campers until further notice.
Emergency convoys were deployed on Sunday to escort stranded individuals out of the area after engineers deemed it safe to utilize the northbound lane of the highway. California Governor Gavin Newsom acknowledged the situation, stating on social media that coordination amongst agencies was ongoing to address the Highway 1 closure near Big Sur.
With ongoing repair work, the recent landslide may delay the state’s efforts to fully reopen Highway 1 by late spring. The vulnerability of this highway segment along the Big Sur coast to extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, poses ongoing challenges due to erosion, landslides, and mudslides. The engineering challenges of maintaining a road on sheer cliffs result in annual closures, a constant concern for residents and the economy the highway supports.
As travelers and residents in the area have long been aware of the risks associated with Highway 1, the recent landslide serves as a reminder of the ongoing maintenance challenges of the iconic stretch of roadway. The closure underscores the need for continual monitoring and improvements to ensure the safety and accessibility of this vital transportation route.