New bridge and rockshed completed near Big Sur
A new bridge and rockshed at Pitkins Curve on Highwat 1 is complete and open to traffic, Caltrans officials announced this week. The massive project protects the road and travelers from rockslides at a point about halfway between Cambria and Monterey.
The quarter-mile long project extends from just north of Limekiln Creek Bridge to south of Lucia. The project includes a rockshed, a bridge and a retaining wall.
Some of the most significant benefits of this project include:
• Greatly reduce motorists’ encounters with a falling rock and/or a land slide.
• Greatly reduce any period of closure of the highway at this location due to a major slide.
• The cost of maintaining this stretch of highway will be significantly less as a result of this project.
• The drive/ride will be more pleasant than it was before (smoother ride, unique structures, more impressive view).
The rockshed is the only roadway structure of its kind in the country.
“We are excited to celebrate the completion of this sensational project,” said District 5 Director Tim Gubbins. “It features an iconic bridge and rockshed that will ensure safe passage for motorists and cyclists year round.”
The contractor for this $39 million, four-year project was Golden State Bridge Inc. of Benicia, CA.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion and full opening of the project is set for Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 11:30 a.m. Speakers will include Monterey County Supervisor Dave Potter; President of Big Sur Chamber of Commerce Kirk Gafill and Caltrans District Director Tim Gubbins.
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