Highway 1 Reopening Delayed Until 2025

The reopening of a key segment of California's Highway 1 through Big Sur has been delayed until at least 2025 due to ongoing landslides and land movement near Regent's Slide. This closure impacts a crucial 6.8-mile stretch between the Esalen Institute and the town of Lucia, hindering access and affecting local businesses in San Simeon and Cambria. Despite efforts by Caltrans and other state agencies, new cracks and slope instability have paused repair work, with continued monitoring required before resuming. While much of Highway 1 remains open, the disruption has led to significant economic challenges for the region's tourism-dependent businesses. The closure also poses safety risks, as evidenced by a recent incident involving a bicyclist injured while attempting to traverse the closed section. State officials are hopeful that ongoing emergency repairs at other sites will eventually facilitate a full reopening.