BIG SUR >> Caltrans announced on Friday that by Memorial Day, May 27, it will have the initial repair work completed to stabilize the edge of Highway 1 south of Rocky Creek Bridge, where a slip-out occurred two weeks ago.

“This would mark the end of the current convoys and allow alternating one-way traffic through the area without an escort using 24/7 signalized traffic control,” said a press release from Caltrans.

Due to rain in the forecast for Saturday, the daily convoys at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. through the Rocky Creek slip-out on Highway 1 will be canceled. Convoys are expected to resume at 7 a.m. on Sunday. The cancellation is based on a location-specific forecast from the National Weather Service.

The current convoys are intended for use by local residents and essential workers only. Limiting the volume of vehicles through the repair site is one strategy which is helping manage the risks associated with conditions at the slip-out and with emergency response.

Until Caltrans stabilizes Highway 1, it will continue using the twice-daily convoys to move only local residents and essential workers through the area.

Once the roadway edge is stabilized, crews will install a temporary signal and open Highway 1 to unrestricted traffic under alternating one-way traffic control. One-way traffic control will continue until further roadway work is completed and the roadway has cleared safety inspections.

Since the March 30 slip-out that temporarily closed the roadway, Caltrans has conducted geotechnical assessments, widened and improved drainage in the northbound shoulder area, placed concrete barriers along the centerline to channelize convoy passage, and hired a contractor to drill, install and grout vertical rock dowels through the southbound lane pavement adjacent to the existing west edge of the roadway.“We know how important Highway 1 is to the regional economy, especially during the summer, so we are working to reopen the roadway as quickly and safely as possible while at the same time making it more resilient to future extreme weather events,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares in the release.

This initial phase of repair work will be followed by a longer phase in which crews will drill, install and grout horizontal rock dowels. Once the reinforcing dowels are in place, the repair design calls for crews to install reinforced shotcrete to the vertical face of the repair to help stabilize the roadway along the cliffside, according to Caltrans. The drainage improvements will also help the roadway better withstand extreme weather events, which are becoming more common in the area due to climate change.

The construction timeline is subject to change due to a number of factors, including wind and rain, says Caltrans. Installation of the horizontal rock dowels requires a crane to hold a basket with crew members in it over the edge of the roadway. Winds cannot exceed 25 mph for these activities. The repair schedule may also be impacted by rain events and any change in site conditions.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

For additional information on infrastructure projects statewide, visit build.ca.gov.