A large chunk of California’s Highway 1, which runs along most of the state’s Pacific coast, was destroyed this week after a winter storm.
The Fifth District of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) tweeted a message on Friday warning drivers of the highway closure due to “partial wear” on the road.
Big Sur update: # Hwy1 will remain CLOSED to traffic until further notice due to partial road erasure tonight at Mile Marker 30 near Big Creek Br. Our teams / contractors will begin damage assessment, cleaning and repairs at dawn @bigsurkate @BigSurCChttps://t.co/CvzL0KLtPp
– Caltrans District 5 (@ CaltransD5) January 29, 2021
The section of the highway, located 15 miles south of Big Sur on Rat Creek, was destroyed as a result of heavy rain.
Caltrans officials told CNN that wreckage above the road “overloaded the drainage infrastructure, flowed down the highway and eroded the road, resulting in the complete loss of a segment of Highway 1.”
Drone images shared by Caltrans, District 5, showed the extent of the damage.
Check out this incredible video of drones from # Hwy1 wash at Rat Creek about 15 miles south of #BigSur. Our teams are on site protecting you, assessing damage and starting cleaning / repairs. Reminder: the road is OPEN from #Carmel through the city of Big Sur. @bigsurkate @BigSurCC @CHP_Coastal pic.twitter.com/rB193DzXhL
– Caltrans District 5 (@ CaltransD5) January 29, 2021
Toks Omishakin, director of the California Department of Transportation, noted that it may take weeks for the stretch of highway to be repaired.