Chapter
Feb 24, 2023
Chapter 4
Brief Big Sur Highway 1 History
Publication: Highway 1 Rat Creek Embankment Failure: 2021 Reconnaissance and Analysis
Abstract
This chapter discusses the history and performance of Highway 1 through the Big Sur area. Construction of Highway 1 started in 1921 and continued until 1926. There are 29 bridges along the Big Sur Coast Highway, with the longest over Bixby Creek about 13 mi (21 km) south of Carmel. This bridge was completed in 1932 and was the largest arched highway bridge in the western United States at the time. The Rat Creek drainage crossing of Highway 1 is one of the largest tributary areas that does not have a bridge, so it is susceptible to significant surface water flows. The chapter describes the initial design and performance of the highway at the location of Rat Creek. The failure of Highway 1 at Rat Creek was caused by the progressive erosion of the compacted fill embankment supporting the roadway, not a slope failure or slide.
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References
Caltrans (California Deptartment of Transportation). n.d. “Big Sur inventory reports and history road closures.” Accessed April 2021. http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/projects/bigsur/inventory_reports/history_road_closures.pdf.
Caltrans (California Deptartment of Transportation). 2016. 2016 traffic volumes. Sacramento, CA: California Dept. of Transportation, State of California.
Gibson, L. 1937. A dream comes true, illustrated. Sacramento, CA: California Highways and Public Works.
Novoa, K. n.d. “Big Sur interactive highway maps with slide names & mile markers.” Accessed April 2021. https://bigsurkate.blog/big-sur-interactive-highway-maps-with-slide-names-mile-markers/.
Reyes, J. 2018. “Caltrans sets new target date to reopen Highway 1 in Big Sur at Mud Creek.” Accessed April 16, 2021. http://www.montereyherald.com/general-news/20180430/caltrans-sets-new-target-date-to-reopen-highway-1-in-big-sur-at-mud-creek.
Information & Authors
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Published In
Highway 1 Rat Creek Embankment Failure: 2021 Reconnaissance and Analysis
Pages: 27 - 33
Editors: Dimitrios Zekkos, Ph.D., and Timothy D. Stark, Ph.D.
ISBN (Online): 978-0-7844-8457-9
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Feb 24, 2023
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