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After 3 years of repairs, Highway 1 through Big Sur fully reopens
Latimes.com and 1 more
- California's Highway 1 through Big Sur has fully reopened after three years of repairs, restoring a continuous coastal drive between Carmel and Cambria.
- Caltrans reports the project cost around $162 million, reflecting extensive roadway repairs, stabilization, and debris removal since January 2023.
- Officials describe the coast road as essential to California's coast and Big Sur economy, with reopening expected to boost regional business and tourism.
- Crews completed stabilization work on steep slopes, using steel reinforcements up to 60 feet to prevent future slides and protect the corridor.
- The reopening is expected to bring relief to Big Sur's hard-hit small businesses and families, many of whom saw steep drops in customers during closures.
- Despite optimism, officials warn that future temporary or full closures remain possible during the rainy season due to ongoing rockfalls and landslides.
- The final stretch to reopen included the Regent's Slide area north of Lucia, known for persistent landslide pressure and challenging coastal geology.
- Study estimates prior long closure equated to hundreds of millions in regional economic losses, underscoring the route's economic significance.
- Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the reopening as a restoration of a cultural landmark, reinforcing California's coast identity and tourism appeal.
- Local residents and business leaders anticipate a surge in visitors, with some restaurant staff preparing for increased summer traffic immediately after reopening.
- Caltrans officials noted that closures are a long-standing reality for Highway 1 due to its coastal, geologically active location, making resilience a recurring priority.
- The reopening culminates a multi-year, multi-stage effort including massive material removal, slide clearance, and engineering challenges across the Big Sur coastline.
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