Highway 1 closed at Regents Slide near Big Sur due to debris

BIG SUR – With a series of storms continuing to slam the Central Coast, Caltrans reports that a 6.8-mile segment of Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast remains closed near Regent’s Slide, the area that just opened about a month ago.

The closure of the highway, from two miles north of Lucia, to one mile south of the Esalen Institute, is due to ongoing debris cleanup as a result of continuing winter storms. There is no estimated time for a full reopening, and message and directional signs are in place to alert travelers in advance of this closure.

The slope above the roadway at Regent’s Slide remains stable, according to Caltrans, however, the catchment area at the base of the slope has filled with debris that has eroded during recent rains. This erosion activity is an expected outcome following recent slide repairs and will continue as the slope seasons over time.

At present, debris in the catchment area has spilled over the concrete barriers on the northbound shoulder, allowing debris and rocks to travel directly on to the highway.

Crews will begin to clear debris from the catchment area during upcoming breaks in the rain. This cleanup effort is dependent on weather and site conditions. Updates will be provided as work progresses. There is currently no estimated time for a full reopening.

On Feb. 9, 2024, Regent’s Slide, originating about 450 feet above the roadway, closed Highway 1 in Monterey County. For nearly two years, Caltrans slowly and methodically repaired the site with the goal of safely reopening the roadway.

In early January, storms brought the first rainfall to the lower slope at Regent’s Slide – about 40 miles south of Carmel. Recently-installed and secured mesh drapery on the slope above the roadway, designed to protect the traveling public from rockfall once the road reopened, performed its intended function by effectively slowing the movement of rock and debris down the slope.

In the months leading up to the reopening of Highway 1, crews at Regent’s Slide made cuts in the slope and removed debris material. That made it possible for climbing crews on the slope above the roadway to secure the mesh netting. Data from measuring instruments indicated that since the installation of more than 4,500 shear dowels was completed in the fall, no significant slide movement had been detected.

The primary function of shear dowels is to reinforce the slope by increasing its internal shear strength. By anchoring the unstable soil layers to more stable underlying materials, they help resist the forces that can cause landslides. This method is particularly effective in areas where traditional excavation or grading is not feasible due to environmental concerns or terrain challenges.

On Jan. 14, 2026, the stretch of Highway 1 closed by Regent’s Slide reopened, restoring full travel access along the Big Sur coast, from Carmel to Cambria, and reviving a vital economic lifeline for local business owners and residents affected by the closure.

Going forward, travelers on Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide and other locations may encounter occasional full closures while crews remove debris following seasonal weather events and intermittent delays due to ongoing construction.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.