BIG SUR, Calif. — Motorists crept along one lane of a scenic stretch of California’s iconic Highway 1 on Monday after an enormous chunk of it collapsed into the ocean following heavy weekend rains, stranding as many as 1,600 people within the coastal community of Big Sur.
Convoys of vehicles resumed at 8 a.m. Monday for one lane of the highway, although the general public trapped in Big Sur were allowed to depart when a single lane was reopened Sunday after being closed overnight, said Kevin Drabinski, a spokesperson for the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans.
“Through the time the convoys are passing, we physically have observers on sight to place eyes on the condition of the roadway to make sure that it’s still protected to travel,” Drabinski said.
The collapse occurred Saturday near Rocky Creek Bridge about 17 miles (27 kilometers) south of Monterey, and traffic backed up for miles in each directions.
Kirk Gafill, the manager of Nepenthe restaurant in Big Sur, said a few dozen of his employees who were working that day were trapped on the town and had to search out friends or members of the family to spend the night with.
“That is probably true for each business in Big Sur,” he said.
The Big Sur Lodge opened its conference room to supply some trapped motorists a spot to remain, while others spent the night of their vehicles.
Linda Molinari of Hollister, California, told Fresno’s KFSN-TV that she and her boyfriend ended up sleeping in his van after they went to lunch in Big Sur on Saturday.
“It was really hard when the firefighters said, ‘Oh, you get to sleep here tonight,’” Molinari told the station on Easter Sunday after they returned home. “It’s amazing to get home, but still bittersweet. You missed a vacation from just attempting to go to lunch on a random day.”
One other convoy of vehicles was escorted through at 4 p.m. Monday, but motorists were urged to avoid the world. The subsequent convoy was scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Caltrans said crews will start installing concrete barriers to supply a protected lane for vehicles and to guard construction staff. Engineers will concentrate on stabilizing the sting of the roadway, however it’s not immediately clear when the road will likely be able to reopen.
The famous route has seen frequent closures due to collapses, mudflows and rockslides during severe weather.
Road staff got a break from the heavy rains that fell over the weekend, with dry conditions expected for the subsequent several days and only a likelihood for light rain on Thursday, said Dalton Behringer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service within the Bay Area.
This Article First Appeared At www.autoblog.com
