PCH warning: Bridge closed at Big Sur on Hwy 1
02-25-17, 12:02 PM
#26
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Right now the ground around it is moving. It isn't stable. The whole thing is one big slide. Besides, it is also state park, and you can't just go in and make a DIY road.
BTW, I really hope you are right, i.e., that a foot-path will be possible, because even pushing a bike through a couple of miles of path would allow one to enjoy a nearly car-free experience on what is arguably the most scenic part of the Pacific Coast ride (certainly the most scenic part south of SF).
BTW, I really hope you are right, i.e., that a foot-path will be possible, because even pushing a bike through a couple of miles of path would allow one to enjoy a nearly car-free experience on what is arguably the most scenic part of the Pacific Coast ride (certainly the most scenic part south of SF).
Last edited by Cyclist0108; 02-25-17 at 12:41 PM.
02-25-17, 12:19 PM
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Keep in mind, that they had to have built some kind of ground level connector to built that bridge in the first place, and assuredly will do so again to replace it. It won't be fancy, and will be probably only be suitable for all terrain vehicles, but intrepid walkers and cyclists will be able to get by, unless someone makes an effort to block that.
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02-25-17, 12:22 PM
#28
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You need to get out of the city more.
02-25-17, 12:36 PM
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You're right, but only because I've cycled and hiked in terrain as rough as that area in the past, and am not doing it enough these days.
So, I'll turn this back on you and suggest you think about who dug and poured the footings for the bridge, and how they might have done that.
The only barrier to some kind of passage across that gap is government regulation. Absent that, the locals might have something going within a very short period, even if it's simply something like this.
So, I'll turn this back on you and suggest you think about who dug and poured the footings for the bridge, and how they might have done that.
The only barrier to some kind of passage across that gap is government regulation. Absent that, the locals might have something going within a very short period, even if it's simply something like this.
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02-25-17, 12:40 PM
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02-25-17, 12:42 PM
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I think I just messed up my posts, but FWIW:
Right now the ground around it is moving. It isn't stable. The whole thing is one big slide.
Well, this is California. It is practically a police state.
Besides, it is also state park, and you can't just go in and make a DIY road.
BTW, I really hope you are right, i.e., that a foot-path will be possible, because even pushing a bike through a couple of miles of path would allow one to enjoy a nearly car-free experience on what is arguably the most scenic part of the Pacific Coast ride (certainly the most scenic part south of SF).
Originally Posted by wgscott
A foot-path is more realistic, but by no means a certainty.
Besides, it is also state park, and you can't just go in and make a DIY road.
BTW, I really hope you are right, i.e., that a foot-path will be possible, because even pushing a bike through a couple of miles of path would allow one to enjoy a nearly car-free experience on what is arguably the most scenic part of the Pacific Coast ride (certainly the most scenic part south of SF).
Last edited by Cyclist0108; 02-25-17 at 12:53 PM.
02-25-17, 12:42 PM
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Blog says it's a mere $375, assuming you need the entire helicopter.
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02-25-17, 12:48 PM
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I think I just messed up my posts, but FWIW:
Right now the ground around it is moving. It isn't stable. The whole thing is one big slide.
Well, this is California. It is practically a police state.
Besides, it is also state park, and you can't just go in and make a DIY road.
BTW, I really hope you are right, i.e., that a foot-path will be possible, because even pushing a bike through a couple of miles of path would allow one to enjoy a nearly car-free experience on what is arguably the most scenic part of the Pacific Coast ride (certainly the most scenic part south of SF).
Right now the ground around it is moving. It isn't stable. The whole thing is one big slide.
Well, this is California. It is practically a police state.
Besides, it is also state park, and you can't just go in and make a DIY road.
BTW, I really hope you are right, i.e., that a foot-path will be possible, because even pushing a bike through a couple of miles of path would allow one to enjoy a nearly car-free experience on what is arguably the most scenic part of the Pacific Coast ride (certainly the most scenic part south of SF).
I'm assuming all the campsites will remain closed but I'm not against stealth camping and packing a few days supplies.
02-25-17, 12:54 PM
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Right now the ground around it is moving. It isn't stable. The whole thing is one big slide.
BTW, I really hope you are right, i.e., that a foot-path will be possible, because even pushing a bike through a couple of miles of path would allow one to enjoy a nearly car-free experience on what is arguably the most scenic part of the Pacific Coast ride (certainly the most scenic part south of SF).
The only real question is how hard the state will work to prevent an improvised path, or if they'll support (or block) the construction of a temporary cable pedestrian bridge.
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02-25-17, 12:54 PM
#35
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I'm guessing, but I think the campsites will be open. You just will have to access them (by car) either from the north or the south, but not both.
02-25-17, 12:57 PM
#36
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Don't see why there wouldn't be any cars. Once everything is cleared, you should be able to drive in, turn around and drive out. Perhaps fewer than usual.
02-25-17, 01:00 PM
#37
Every day a winding road
If they do get a footpath setup, some enterprising person could make a fortune on Uber or rental car service. 
02-25-17, 01:00 PM
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The only real question is how hard the state will work to prevent an improvised path, or if they'll support (or block) the construction of a temporary cable pedestrian bridge.
02-25-17, 01:04 PM
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But, people don't like being cut off, which is why I expect the locals to come up with some kind of way past the bridge.
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02-25-17, 01:08 PM
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One of the charms of that place is that there are very few locals. There is an old hippy that sits in a rocking chair by a gas station in Lucia (pop. 996), for example. I suppose he could be persuaded to build it, but he hasn't moved from that rocking chair in 22 years.
02-25-17, 01:27 PM
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They are talking about a temporary foot bridge.
Seems like it might be a while.
If you want to take the helicopter.
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation
Bridge failure severs Big Sur?s ties to outside world - San Francisco Chronicle
Lance Gorman, Caltrans’ senior maintenance and damage restoration engineer, said the agency was considering creating a temporary pedestrian bridge, but he couldn’t say when or how it would be built. He also could not say how children in the village would catch their bus when school resumes next week. The village is a half-mile south of the bridge, which was built in 1967.
The agency had begun drilling near the bridge to figure out how to anchor the foundation of a new bridge, he said. By Friday, the bridge had cracked completely, and a line of orange construction cones previously visible in the same sight line had disappeared into the dip.
“We don’t know the geometry of the new bridge yet,” Gorman said Thursday at an online meeting of the Coast Property Owners Association. “It will be a straight bridge. The old bridge was on a curve. We want something between a pedestrian or golf cart-sized bridge. It’s still too early to know if we can get away with it.”
Caltrans hoped to have designs for a temporary bridge within four weeks. There were no plans yet for a new vehicle bridge. As the officials planned, nature’s pull continued.
The agency had begun drilling near the bridge to figure out how to anchor the foundation of a new bridge, he said. By Friday, the bridge had cracked completely, and a line of orange construction cones previously visible in the same sight line had disappeared into the dip.
“We don’t know the geometry of the new bridge yet,” Gorman said Thursday at an online meeting of the Coast Property Owners Association. “It will be a straight bridge. The old bridge was on a curve. We want something between a pedestrian or golf cart-sized bridge. It’s still too early to know if we can get away with it.”
Caltrans hoped to have designs for a temporary bridge within four weeks. There were no plans yet for a new vehicle bridge. As the officials planned, nature’s pull continued.
Potential walking trails in nearby state parks, which some had hoped would bypass the crippled bridge, were ruled too treacherous after the rains. Trekking without permission came with a $5,000 fine. Three huge waterfalls pounded onto the highway near the bridge, and work crews scraped mud and tree trunks off the pavement. Dozens of vehicles remained abandoned near the north end of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge.
Specialized Helicopters will be running shuttles in and out of Big Sur this weekend between Monterey Airport and Post Ranch Inn.
Each leg, in or out, is $375 each way for the flight or $125/seat. You can carry a small amount of luggage on your lap but if your luggage needs takes up another seat you will need to buy that seat. Please call Specialized Helicopters so that we can optimize each flight and to keep the flights full and affordable for you and make it possible for Specialized to run these shuttles for us.
Flights are limited.
Call Specialized Helicopters at (831) 763-2244 to reserve a seat.
https://www.specializedheli.com
Each leg, in or out, is $375 each way for the flight or $125/seat. You can carry a small amount of luggage on your lap but if your luggage needs takes up another seat you will need to buy that seat. Please call Specialized Helicopters so that we can optimize each flight and to keep the flights full and affordable for you and make it possible for Specialized to run these shuttles for us.
Flights are limited.
Call Specialized Helicopters at (831) 763-2244 to reserve a seat.
https://www.specializedheli.com
Bridge failure severs Big Sur?s ties to outside world - San Francisco Chronicle
03-16-17, 10:22 PM
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Should be good riding through there as motor vehicle traffic will be reduced. I am going through there this summer. There will be a bypass trail, if not already. Either a game trail or "old hippie" trail. Campgrounds will be open. Looking forward to it....even if it takes half a day to get through.
03-17-17, 07:14 AM
#43
Hooked on Touring
I wouldn't expect anything quickly.
03-17-17, 07:52 AM
#44
Update article
Excerpt:
Plans to build a single span steel bridge across Pfeiffer Canyon along Highway 1 in Big Sur are approved and permitted.
Construction is expected to take between nine months and a year.
The preliminary bridge design is for a 320-foot single span steel bridge that will sit between abutments on the north and south side of Pfeiffer Canyon. The design has no columns holding up the bridge.
...
A foot trail for locals that takes them around the bridge is being built but Adams said that will only ease the pressure for residents. The bridge failure is going to have lasting impacts on tourism in Monterey County, and it could be the end for some Big Sur businesses.
Excerpt:
Plans to build a single span steel bridge across Pfeiffer Canyon along Highway 1 in Big Sur are approved and permitted.
Construction is expected to take between nine months and a year.
The preliminary bridge design is for a 320-foot single span steel bridge that will sit between abutments on the north and south side of Pfeiffer Canyon. The design has no columns holding up the bridge.
...
A foot trail for locals that takes them around the bridge is being built but Adams said that will only ease the pressure for residents. The bridge failure is going to have lasting impacts on tourism in Monterey County, and it could be the end for some Big Sur businesses.
Last edited by BigAura; 03-17-17 at 07:59 AM.
03-17-17, 10:16 AM
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You and I also have different outlooks and expectations. I have faith in human ingenuity and to a lessor degree in the ability of government to act expeditiously when necessary
Three weeks ago when this happened I predicted that a workable temporary solution would happen sooner rather than later, with a complete repair to follow reasonably quickly.
Now they have a passable foot trail and have started removing the damaged bridge, and have fast tracked a replacement. Not bad for people who can't get anything done.
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03-17-17, 10:35 AM
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Thanks for the update.
Whoever thought about 'blowing up the bridge' needs to watch this video:
Whoever thought about 'blowing up the bridge' needs to watch this video:
03-17-17, 11:16 AM
#47
Every day a winding road
Who in this thread suggested blowing up the bridge and exactly what does blowing up a whale have anything remotely related to a bridge demolition other than the possible use of explosive? Or was this just an excuse to post a disgusting video?
03-17-17, 11:18 AM
#48
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There's another thread about this here on BF. I suggest that anyone interested follow that one, or check the Big Sur Blog, where they routinely post updated info about progress.
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Last edited by FBinNY; 03-17-17 at 11:30 AM.
03-17-17, 11:21 AM
#49
Every day a winding road
There's another thread about this here on BF. I suggest that anyone interested follow that one, or check the Big Sur Blog, where they routinely post updated info about progress.
Page not found.
03-17-17, 11:32 AM
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Fixed.
Must have been a typo when I set up the link. I've also added the link to the other thread, where there's more discussion about progress, though the primary source for most of that info is the blog.
Must have been a typo when I set up the link. I've also added the link to the other thread, where there's more discussion about progress, though the primary source for most of that info is the blog.
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