An area of Big Sur’s coastal highway will reopen a week earlier than scheduled on Friday following repairs to a section that previously fell into the ocean nearly two months ago. 

The repairs in Big Sur were required following a March 30 rockslide off Highway 1 south of the Rocky Creek Bridge. At the time, approximately 6 feet of the pavement and a portion of a retaining wall that supported the highway fell to the ocean about 170 feet below, leaving the southbound lane impassable. 

When it reopens Friday, the area will have signalized traffic control allowing one-way alternating traffic in both directions. A project to construct a permanent repair to the highway at this location is currently in the design phase, with an estimated completion date of spring 2025. 

Caltrans said this reopening will be eight days ahead of schedule, according to a release from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office. 

“Crews have been working day and night to quickly repair the damage to Highway 1 caused by recent storms, which has disrupted the lives of individuals living in and around Big Sur – limiting access to the area and hampering tourism,” Newsom said.  

Gov. Gavin Newsom surveys ongoing repairs to a slipout on Highway 1 near Big Sur on May 3, 2024. The governor signed a state of emergency proclamation, helping secure an estimated $100 million in federal funding for repair of storm damaged infrastructure statewide. (Office of the Governor)

In order to stabilize the remaining southbound lane and preserve the northbound lane, crews drilled, installed and grouted 40 vertical and 75 sub-horizontal steel elements into the slope. This work required Caltrans to close the roadway in both directions at Rocky Creek, only allowing vehicle convoys through the area twice daily. 

Caltrans Director Tony Tavares called Highway 1 the “jewel of the California highway system.” 

“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,” Tavares said. 

Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) praised elected officials, public agencies and the community at large for the team effort to complete the work.  

“We are deeply grateful to have Highway 1 open and functional an entire week ahead of schedule,” said Laird. “I want to sincerely thank Caltrans and the people of Big Sur for their work, effort, and patience through this process.”