Highway 1 at Rocky Creek Bridge in Big Sur to reopen May 17 with traffic signal.

A portion of Highway 1 in Big Sur that has been shut down for more than a month due to a slip-out just south of Rocky Creek Bridge—forcing residents and visitors to traverse the one-lane section via twice-daily convoys—will reopen on Friday, May 17.

Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement on Tuesday, May 14, noting the highway is reopening eight days earlier than expected.

“Crews have been working day and night to quickly repair the damage to Highway 1 caused by recent storms, which has disrupted the lives of individuals living in and around Big Sur—limiting access to the area and hampering tourism,” Newsom said in a statement. “Thanks to the diligent efforts, traffic will resume eight days ahead of schedule—bringing relief and a sense of normalcy back to one of California's most iconic coastal communities.”

The portion of the highway will reopen with a 24/7 signalized one-way traffic control, allowing for “unrestricted public access” into Big Sur, a press release noted.

On March 30, a rockslide below Highway 1 south of the Rocky Creek Bridge collapsed the southbound lane.

Crews stabilized the cliff by drilling, installing and grouting 40 verticle and 75 subvertical steel elements into the slope, according to the announcement. The steel elements, called rock dowels, are covered with shotcrete to protect the exposed rock slope. 

The site will continue to be monitored and visually inspected. A project to construct a permanent repair to the highway is currently in the design phase, with an estimated completion date of spring 2025.