A significant portion of California’s Highway 1, which covers most of the state’s Pacific coastline, was washed away this week after a winter storm.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Fifth District tweeted a message on Friday warning drivers of the highway closure due to “partial washout” of the road.
Big Sur update: # Hwy1 will remain CLOSED to through traffic until further notice due to partial road washout tonight at Mile Marker 30 near Big Creek Br. Our crew / contractor starts at daybreak with damage assessment, clearance and repair @bigsurkate @BuienRadarNLhttps://t.co/CvzL0KLtPp
– Caltrans District 5 (@ CaltransD5) January 29, 2021
The stretch of the highway, located 15 miles south of Big Sur at Rat Creek, was destroyed due to heavy rainfall.
Caltrans officials told CNN that debris from above the road “overwhelmed drainage infrastructure, overflowed the highway, and eroded the road, resulting in the complete loss of part of Highway 1.”
Drone footage shared by Caltrans District 5 showed the extent of the damage.
Check out this great drone video from # Hwy1 leaching at Rat Creek about 25 miles south of #BigSur. Our crews are on site to secure, assess damage and start cleaning up / repairing. Reminder: the road is OPEN from #Carmel through the city of Big Sur. @bigsurkate @BuienRadarNL @BuienRadarNL pic.twitter.com/rB193DzXhL
– Caltrans District 5 (@ CaltransD5) January 29, 2021
Toks Omishakin, director of the California Department of Transportation, noted that it could take weeks for the portion of the highway to be repaired.