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After 3 years of repairs, Highway 1 through Big Sur fully reopens

Highway 1 near Big Sur fully reopened after three years of closures and repairs, restoring a continuous coastal drive from Carmel to Cambria.
AP reports the reopening came three months ahead of schedule, offering travelers a chance to plan spring and summer road trips.
Caltrans notes the project cost around $162 million, reflecting extensive debris removal, stabilization, and engineering work since January 2023.
Officials describe Highway 1 as essential to California's coast and Big Sur economy, with reopening expected to boost local business and tourism.
Crews completed stabilization on steep slopes using steel reinforcements up to 60 feet to prevent future slides and protect the corridor.
Local business leaders anticipate a surge in visitors, with restaurant staff preparing for increased summer traffic immediately after reopening.
Governor Newsom framed the reopening as a restoration of a cultural landmark and the coast’s tourism appeal.
The reopening is expected to relieve pressures on hard-hit small businesses and families in Big Sur and nearby communities.
Officials caution future 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, a long-persistent landslide pressure site in coastal geology.
An economic analysis cited by AP and others notes the closure caused hundreds of millions in regional losses, underscoring Highway 1's economic importance.

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