CA State Route 1 - PCH - Closed Near Big Sur [Reopened April 23, 2021]
 

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/S...=articlerecirc


Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge in Big Sur cracked beyond repair by rains, must be replaced

If you were planning on driving up/down the coast the entire way between LA and SF, you'll need to make alternate plans.

"The closure means travelers can no longer make the complete road-trip along California's scenic Highway 1. Motorists may now only travel south on State Route 1 from Carmel to just south of Palo Colorado in Monterey County and north from Cambria to Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County."

This is California we're talking about. :)

<deleted by moderator>.

Considering where that bridge is located, it'll take at least 6 months for the ground to stabilize, then a year or two for the environmental impact report, and then who knows how long for it to actually get replaced.

Moderator's Note:
 

Please save the political commentaries for OMNI/PR (access to OMNI is restricted to members who have been on FlyerTalk for 180 day and have made 180 posts).

Thank you,

TWA884
Moderator

Moderator's Note:
 

Please let's keep this thread limited to updates and information about the road closure and rebuilding of the bridge.

Discussion of alternate plans and comparison of driving on US HWY 101 vs. CA SR 1 belong in the main Pacific Coast Highway thread:
I have moved a couple of posts over to that thread.

Thank you for understanding,

TWA884
Moderator

How unfortunate. This stretch of Hwy. 1 is among the most scenic parts.

Update on the bridge
 

There is an update on the condition of the Pfeiffer Canyon bridge. From the article:
Summary: replacing the bridge isn't going to be quick or easy.

Indeed. Even if all governmental approvals are lightening-fast, the design and construction for this sort of project are no easy tasks.

Yikes. Looking at the pictures, I see a structural failure. It's not something that's likely to be fixable; likely it's a full replacement. That means they'll have to demolish the bridge, reassess the geography, design a new bridge (with all the safety and environmental considerations that entails under law), and then build it.

Having a break in Highway 1 is going to be a big hit to the tourism based economy of the Central Coast for some time to come. Not to mention the daily living of local residents.

From the The Big Sur Blog:

Moderator's Note:
 

Reminder!

Posts have been moved.

More photos here:

Oh dear. Construction can't be easy in a place like that.