Caltrans District 5 via AP
An estimated 1,600 individuals were left stranded after a portion of California’s scenic Highway 1 collapsed amid inclement weather over Easter weekend.
The roadway was closed from Palo Colorado to Limekiln on Saturday “due to a slip-out near Rocky Creek,”according to District 5 of California’s Department of Transportation, also known as Caltrans.
The collapse occurred as a major storm passed through the area, stranding about 1,600 residents and visitors, theSan Francisco ChronicleandTheWashington Postreported.
Numerous people reportedly stayed at local hotels, including Big Sur River Inn and Ripplewood Resort, or slept in their cars.
Emergency convoys began leading peopleout of the areaSunday as crews worked“to stabilize”the roadway, according to Caltrans.
All state parks in the Big Sur Area — including Pfeiffer Big Sur, Andrew Molera, Limekiln, Julia Pfeiffer Burns, and Point Sur State Historic — were also closed “to day use and camping” following the road slip on Highway 1,California State Parkssaid.
All camping reservations were canceled as a result, according to the state agency.
A Caltrans-provided photo showing the damaged portion of Highway 1.Caltrans District 5 via AP
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Caltrans spokesperson Kevin Drabinski said the agency hopes to temporarily stabilize the edge of the roadway while experts work out a more permanent plan, according to theSan Francisco Chronicle.
Convoys will continue periodically, Drainski noted, per theSan Francisco ChronicleandAssociated Press.
It is unclear how long it will take for repairs to be made to Highway 1. The roadway is prone to extreme weather-related issues due to its steep topography, perTheWashington Post.
A Monterey County tourist official said the last Highway 1 washout cost half a billion dollars and left the road closed for a year, according to theSan Francisco Chronicle.
source: people.com
