BIG SUR >> Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek slip out repair site will have three overnight closures this week “to accelerate completion of the northbound viaduct structure,” according to Caltrans.

The full overnight closures will occur from 10 p.m.-6 a.m., on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Caltrans says that during these overnight closures, vacuum trucks will occupy the southbound travel lane and remove rock and water from holes left by the removal of the temporary shoring piles.

Caltrans continues emergency repairs to Highway 1 near the Rocky Creek Bridge — post mile 60 — where the slip out that occurred on March 20, 2024, resulted in a loss of a section of the southbound lane disrupting the flow of traffic to Big Sur for a time before measures where taken to restore vehicle passage using only the northbound lane. Caltrans established one-way, 24-7, signalized traffic control to allow for travelers to access activities and businesses in Big Sur.

Crews have recently moved to extended shifts of 10 and 12 hours each and have added an overnight shift throughout the week in order to accelerate completion of the northbound viaduct structure.

Those temporary shoring piles where the vacuum trucks will be used in the southbound lanes, were the vertical structures driven into the ground to support excavation work, prevent soil collapse and ensure stability during construction. These holes will then be backfilled with concrete during daytime shifts in the coming weeks.

The southbound lane of Highway 1 at Rocky Creek was reopened to travel on March 8 after the completion of the southbound viaduct structure.

The emergency repairs to Highway 1 included the construction of a viaduct to support the roadway and repairs to a concrete seawall at the base of the cliff.

Crews drilled and cast reinforced concrete columns to support the weight of the viaduct structure in advance of the installation of girders.

The design of the viaduct involves support from the two ends as well as two support columns in the middle which make for a three-span design.

Three girders were placed across three spans totaling nine concrete girders, ranging from 45 to 65 feet in length, that were installed in mid-December.

Prior to the girder installation, other construction-related tasks over the past several months included crews drilling holes, lowering rebar cages inside and pouring concrete to create the support columns. The concrete girders serve as the support structure for the southbound lane of the viaduct bridge deck.

The contractor for the emergency repairs near the Rocky Creek Bridge is Gordon N. Ball, Inc. of Walnut Creek. The estimated price tag for the repair work at the Rocky Creek slip out is $21 million.

Though Highway 1 to Big Sur is open, the coastal highway remains closed 40 miles south of Carmel due to the Regent’s Slide — post mile 27.8 — which occurred March 9, 2024, and where top-down removal of slide material by crews began on April 30.

The estimate for completion of the Rocky Creek viaduct is this summer 2025 and is dependent on conditions encountered during construction.

Part of Highway 1 to close during marathon

The Big Sur International Marathon will close more than 27 miles of Highway 1 on the Big Sur Coast on April 27, from 4 a.m.-1 p.m.

The marathon is a renowned event which draws participants from around the world. Nearly 10,000 athletes, thousands of spectators, and hundreds of volunteers will be taking part.

Highway 1 will be closed from near the start of the race at Big Sur Station — post mile 45.64 — to just past the finish line at Rio Road in Carmel — post mile 72.92.

Only emergency vehicles and scheduled CHP-led caravans are allowed on Highway 1 during the race. If travel for local residents is necessary between 4 a.m. and 1 p.m., travelers may join the CHP-led caravan on the schedule available at https://www.bigsurmarathon.org/traffic-information/

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