UPDATE: Caltrans is extending Highway 1's reopening through Saturday.
Officials say that as a result of favorable weather and road conditions, they will keep Highway 1 open between Ragged Point and Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn until 5 p.m. Saturday.
The highway will once again close after 5 p.m. as a series of winter storms is forecast to pass over the Big Sur Coast over the next several days.
Caltrans says they anticipate a reopening may occur sometime in the middle of next week.
A more southern closure of Highway 1 remains in place. That closure is at the elephant seal viewing area, four miles north of San Simeon, where a significant slide, one mile south of Ragged Point, extends over both lanes of travel.
___
Highway 1 near Big Sur is expected to reopen temporarily Friday.
Caltrans says crews were able to clean up several slides in the roadway north of Ragged Point.
Another assessment will be done tomorrow and if it is favorable, Highway 1 will reopen between Ragged Point and Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The opening is timed to take advantage of an expected break in the rain so community members who need to get out of the closure area can do so.
Once Highway 1 closes at 5:00 p.m. Friday, it is expected that the closure will remain in effect for the next 10 days.
Caltrans says they will be looking for opportunities to reopen the road periodically if weather allows it.
