SACRAMENTO – State Senator John Laird today issued the following statement in response to the reopening of Highway 1 through Big Sur, ending the longest sustained closure of the roadway in the region’s history after nearly three years of disruption caused by consecutive major landslides.

The reopening follows faster-than-anticipated progress by Caltrans at Regent’s Slide, where crews completed cleanup and stabilization despite challenging terrain and weather. The closure began with Paul’s Slide in January 2023 and was compounded by Regent’s Slide in February 2024, severing through-traffic and creating severe economic and logistical hardships for residents and businesses.

“This reopening is welcome news for the Big Sur community, workers, and small businesses that have endured extraordinary challenges for far too long,” said Laird. “For three years, I’ve worked with local leaders, Caltrans, Governor Newsom’s administration, business owners, and residents to secure resources, coordinate repairs, and keep Big Sur’s needs front and center. Highway 1 is more than a road; it is a lifeline for families, small businesses, and the visitors who sustain this coast.”

Continued Laird, “The closure at Regent’s Slide created real and lasting hardship, cutting off access and threatening the economic stability of an entire region. Reopening this vital corridor means restoring jobs, reviving local businesses, and reconnecting people to their homes and livelihoods. I’m grateful to the Caltrans crews and engineers, state and local partners, and the Big Sur community for their tireless work, patience, and determination. This achievement belongs to all of you.”

“Repairing this slide meant contending with a moving mountain in one of the most geologically active regions of the coast,” said Monterey County Supervisor Kate Daniels. “My thanks to Caltrans for its perseverance and incredible feat of engineering. We are relieved that this vital highway is once again connecting the Big Sur community and open to the traveling public.”

The reopening comes months ahead of Caltrans’ most recent estimate of March 2026 and as winter storms threaten to slow remaining work. While final stabilization and monitoring will continue, Highway 1 is once again open to through-traffic, restoring critical north-south access along the Central Coast and delivering long-awaited relief to tourism-dependent communities along the coast.

“The reopening of Highway 1 has restored the singular lifeline for the residential and business community of Big Sur,” said Kirk Gafill, president of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce. “The three-year closure strained the social fabric of our community and caused record losses for visitor-serving businesses, with significant regional and statewide impacts. We are deeply grateful for the tremendous work Caltrans and its contractors have done to reopen Highway 1 between Carmel and Cambria.”

“I’m thrilled that Highway 1 is reopening,” said Britten Shuford, co-founder and managing partner of Common Thread Hotels and PRG Investment & Management and a board member of Visit SLO CAL. “Cambria relies on guests from Northern California and international travelers who begin their Highway 1 journey in San Francisco. Many postponed trips over the past few years, and we hope 2026 will be the year they return.”

“The closure of Highway 1 has been a three-year ordeal for residents and businesses on the South Coast of Big Sur,” said John Handy, owner of Treebones Resort. “We are incredibly relieved and grateful that our lifeline to the north is being restored. The closure disrupted supply chains, mail delivery, trash service, jobs, and schools, and resulted in a 30 to 35% loss in business. For our family and 32 employees, welcoming back guests from the north and receiving supplies regularly will feel like a miracle.”

“For the last few years, running the River Inn without reliable Highway 1 access meant making constant hard decisions just to stay open,” said Ben Perlmutter, managing partner of Big Sur River Inn. “Our business dropped overnight, and we worked tirelessly to support our staff and stay connected despite the isolation. Reopening Highway 1 gives us a real path to recovery and feels like turning a long-awaited corner for Big Sur.”

“At Ragged Point Inn, we are thrilled by this long-awaited reopening of Highway 1,” said Diane Ramey, co-owner of Ragged Point Inn and Resort. “Visitors from the north and south can once again experience one of the world’s most spectacular scenic drives. As a family-owned business, we stayed committed through this challenge and are excited to welcome travelers back and look ahead to the future.”