Caltrans updates MAAC on active region slide; work continuing but timeline for reopening Highway 1 remains uncertain

Caltrans engineers updated the advisory council on ongoing work at the large slide that has closed portions of Highway 1 on the southern approaches to Big Sur, saying the site is highly active and that a firm reopening date is not yet possible.

Project engineers said the agency is pursuing a “top‑down” approach on the slide, excavating and loading material at the head of the slump to reduce driving pressure lower in the mass. Caltrans said the slide has exhibited daily movements tied to recent storms and groundwater springs; crews monitor movement with survey teams, drones, spotters and instrumentation. The agency said some monitoring equipment placed on the slope has been lost as the ground shifts and that there have been instances of boulders and large material moving unpredictably.

Caltrans staff and technical partners described the activity as dangerous for workers and said they are coordinating with multiple resource agencies on side‑casting of spoils into the ocean where the coastal footprint and habitat impacts have been evaluated. The agency said the current approach allows material to be side‑cast under existing authorizations while they manage slope stability; but council members and public commenters urged Caltrans to clarify at what point regulators would require hauling material instead of side‑casting — a change that could extend closure time appreciably.

Several public attendees, including local land‑use activists and residents with historical familiarity of the coastline, urged Caltrans to consider more aggressive mechanical or engineered options; Caltrans said the slope’s geotechnical behaviour and the presence of springs make those operations risky and warned that heavy machinery on unstable ground can trigger larger failures. Speakers from the county and state said they have held joint site visits with Caltrans and that engineering teams across agencies are reviewing options.

Caltrans committed to provide the council with more frequent photo and video updates and to publish the video footage shown to the meeting with the minutes. The agency said it will return with a more detailed progress update in the coming weeks once a period of relative slope stability allows more complete surveying.

Ending — Caltrans described steady daily work under hazardous conditions but gave no reopening date. The council and public asked for timely, transparent updates and requested clear decisions about whether side‑casting to the ocean will continue or be replaced by longer‑term hauling if regulators demand it.