Regent's Slide Repairs Make Progress Along Big Sur Coast

Ongoing Repairs at Regent’s Slide Aim to Restore Highway 1 by Spring

Crews are working diligently to address the last remaining bottleneck on Highway 1 between Carmel and Cambria in Big Sur, with the goal of fully reopening the roadway by spring. The repairs at Regent’s Slide, which caused a closure on February 9, 2024, are progressing steadily, according to Caltrans. This slide, located about 450 feet above the highway, has kept a 6.8-mile segment of Highway 1 closed in Monterey County.

Regent’s Slide is situated at post mile 27.8, approximately 40 miles south of Carmel along the scenic coastal highway. Crews initiated top-down removal of slide material on April 30, 2024. This method involves excavating from above the slide, gradually removing displaced material until a stable slope is achieved. It was selected for its emphasis on worker and public safety, alignment with the Coast Highway Management Plan, and long-term stability.

Removing material from the bottom of the slide is not safe or practical due to the sheer volume of debris. Caltrans estimates that Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide will be open to through traffic by the end of March 2026. However, this timeline could change if further slide activity or adverse weather conditions arise, as safety remains the top priority.

Recent clear weather has allowed crews to continue making cuts in the slope and removing debris. Climbing crews are also actively securing mesh netting on the slope above the roadway to protect the traveling public from rockfall once the road is reopened. Data from measuring instruments indicate that no significant slide movement has been detected since more than 4,500 shear dowels were installed last month. In the coming week, crews will install a new and larger culvert on the northbound shoulder to help manage water and debris under the roadway during storm conditions.

Shear Dowels and Slope Stabilization

The primary function of shear dowels is to reinforce the slope by increasing its internal shear strength. By anchoring unstable soil layers to more stable underlying materials, they help resist 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.

Of the estimated 550,000 cubic yards of material that needs to be removed from the slide, over 300,000 have already been taken away. The current approved expenditures for the repairs at Regent’s Slide exceed $35 million, with the total estimated cost projected to be around $82 million.

Once work at Regent’s Slide is complete, it will allow direct travel between Carmel and Cambria via Highway 1. Currently, visitors coming from the north can travel to Big Sur, its businesses, and surrounding areas up to the northernmost closure point at Lime Creek — post mile 32.1 — just south of the Esalen Institute. Travelers from Cambria, San Simeon, and the south coast can reach the southernmost closure point at Vicente Creek Bridge — post mile 25.3.

Updates and Resources

For the latest information on road conditions and updates, travelers can check Caltrans District 5's social media platforms. These include X/Twitter at @CaltransD5, Facebook at Caltrans Central Coast (District 5), and Instagram at Caltrans_D5.