Caltrans reports tentative March 2026 reopening for Regionslide; bridge preservation and speed‑zone studies to follow

Caltrans provided a detailed update on the Regionslide repair and related highway work and said the agency’s current estimated opening date for the slide repair is March 2026.

Aaron Hima of Caltrans described recent operations: blasting to remove a problematic rock layer, installation of chain netting and use of helicopter operations to stage materials. Hima said the project is weather-dependent; fog and rain limit safe operations and crews work seven days a week when conditions allow.

Caltrans reported ongoing studies for speed limits across the Big Sur corridor (a traffic study from approximately post mile 50 to post mile 64) and said a reduced posted speed of 45 mph in certain segments is under consideration. Hima discussed two bridge‑rail design alternatives the agency is evaluating; some alternatives are usable only at lower posted speeds. Caltrans said structural and geometric constraints will limit where standard guardrails can be installed and asked for community input on aesthetics and design features.

Hima also briefed the council on pending preservation treatments on a set of historic bridges (an electrochloride extraction, or ECE, treatment) that will require single-lane, staged work to reduce load on bridge decks while they are treated. He cautioned that individual projects such as Rocky Creek might require extended one‑lane operations (contractors’ schedule could last months to years depending on scope) and said community leaders should expect additional temporary traffic restrictions tied to these preservation contracts.

Community members expressed concerns about additional long-duration one-lane closures after the long Regionslide outage; multiple participants urged Caltrans to consider timing, event scheduling and community impacts when arranging extended operations. Caltrans said its design and environmental teams will provide public outreach as projects move forward and invited further comment on design and speed-zone proposals.

Ending: Caltrans reiterated it will continue regular public updates (including the Regionslide website) and encouraged council members to offer feedback as the bridge-preservation and speed-zone design processes progress.