Site visitors transferring gradual previous Freeway 1 washout close to Large Sur, motorists suggested to keep away from space
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Authorities urged motorists to avoid California's scenic Highway 1 after a section of the coastal road collapsed during an Easter weekend storm, causing closures and stranding motorists near Big Sur, authorities said with.
The collapse occurred during heavy rain Saturday afternoon near the Rocky Creek Bridge about 17 miles south of Monterey, with chunks of asphalt falling from the south side of the two-lane road into the sea.
The highway was closed in both directions in the mountainous area of California's central coast while engineers assessed the damage, the state Department of Transportation (Caltrans) said.
“We are working on a plan to evacuate motorists from the area,” the California Highway Patrol said Saturday.
By around noon Sunday, emergency crews had determined that the northbound lane was safe to travel in, and authorities began regularly escorting motorists through the damaged section. About 300 cars were waiting to head north as officials led the first convoy through the area, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Some stranded motorists slept in their cars overnight while others stayed at the nearby Big Sur Lodge, the newspaper said.
Caltrans spokesman Kevin Drabinski said regular convoys would continue moving in the coming days as crews secured the highway, which was already closed due to rocks and debris in the lanes. He urged people to avoid the area.
Caltrans District 5 via AP
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5's social media platforms: Twitter at @CaltransD5, Facebook at Caltrans Central Coast (District 5), and Instagram at Caltrans_D5.
The famous highway was frequently closed due to collapses, mudslides and rock falls during storms.
The slow-moving storm dropped heavy rain at lower elevations and more than a foot of snow at Sierra Nevada ski resorts around Lake Tahoe.
Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the system was typical of March but was not an atmospheric river like many of the other storms that have hit the state in recent winters.
The storm left the Bay Area on Friday and “marched right up the California coast,” bringing most of the rainfall to the Los Angeles area, Kittell said.
The storm then parked over Southern California, where it was expected to last until Sunday night or into Monday. Showers and possible thunderstorms were possible in portions of Santa Barbara, Ventura and LA counties, with the possibility of lightning and damaging winds.
Bay City News contributed to this report
