A 4.5-mile stretch of State Highway 1 at Paul’s Slide near Lucia in Monterey County will reopen to motorists on Sunday, according to Caltrans.
The section of highway has been closed since Jan. 14, 2023, when 500,000 cubic yards of dirt and debris spilled onto the roadway.
Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said clearing the landslide was a challenge due to the constant movement of material, but recent favorable conditions allowed the landslide to be cleared faster than expected.
“The completion of repairs and the reopening of a 4.5-mile stretch of this scenic byway will begin to restore normalcy for business owners and residents in the area,” Tavares said. He thanked the local community for its patience and support.
The slide had prevented direct access for residents along the stretch, including Lucia and the New Camaldoli Hermitage Monastery, who relied on traffic controls and limited travel hours to reach their homes.
Drivers will still face some periodic traffic checks at Paul’s Slide as crews continue to remove debris.
An 7-mile section of Highway 1 remains closed at Regent’s Slide, near Big Creek Bridge. This slide is expected to be cleared this fall, allowing unrestricted access between Cambria and Carmel.
The new southbound turnaround on Highway 1 beginning Sunday will be just south of the Vicente Creek Bridge and the northbound turnaround will remain at Lime Creek.
According to Caltrans, the cost of cleaning up the debris at Paul’s Slide was $60 million. The contractor was Arroyo Grande-based Papich Construction Company Inc.
