Highway 1 at Rat Creek to open to traffic by April 30
Both aerial views show the progress of fill construction looking up the Canyon at Rat Creek from early March (Left) and Mar. 26, 2021.
–Caltrans announced today it will reopen Highway 1 at Rat Creek in Monterey County by April 30 – nearly two months ahead of its target date. A full closure has been in place following the Jan. 28 mudslide that washed out 150 feet of the roadway.
Caltrans estimated a reopening in early summer when it began major emergency repairs March 1 and has been able to accelerate that timeline with favorable weather conditions. Crews can complete the remaining construction work after the road reopens.
“Reopening Highway 1 at Rat Creek just three months after a washout of this magnitude is great news for residents, recreationalists, business owners, and those who move goods through this region,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “Caltrans has been focused on the emergency work needed to increase the resiliency of this highway section to extreme weather, and the fixes made will allow for safe travel.”
“Our crews have worked to create a safe road in challenging conditions, and we are excited to reopen this lifeline earlier than expected,” Caltrans District 5 Director Tim Gubbins added.
Aerial photo showing debris and the washout of Highway 1 on Feb. 1.
After Caltrans identified the enhanced fill design repair strategy in late February, crews worked seven days a week during daylight hours to fill the canyon with compacted dirt to the road level. Caltrans will establish the base of a new road during the next two weeks, to be followed by paving and striping.
Caltrans will continue construction work that will require intermittent traffic control at Rat Creek following the reopening as crews will install a new, redundant drainage system. The 10-foot diameter culvert will improve water flow during storms and make the roadway more resilient to extreme weather activity. Caltrans will also work on landscaping and installing permanent guardrails throughout the early summer.
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