# Highway 1 Bridge fails cutting off Big Sur **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 12, 2017, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999 "2017-03-12T14:47:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/41 "2017-03-13T22:03:15Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > \*John Boehner on his plans for Obama’s agenda: “We’re going to do everything — and I mean everything we can do — to kill it, stop it, slow it down, whatever we can.” > > Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell: “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.”\* > > Yeah, I’m sure talking about infrastructure–a topic only slightly less yawn-inducing to the general public than relating a pitch by pitch recounting of you eight year old’s Little League game–would have been just the thing to get the public to stand up and demand that their elected representatives do their jobs rather than be as stubbornly obstructive as a small child refusing to go to bed. I’m not sure why you think you need to convince me about Republican obstructionism. I’ve been criticizing it on these boards for a long time now. Also, while i’m sure you’re right that lots of people might start yawning when you say “infrastructure,” they might stand up and take notice when you ask them whether they want their freeway bridges to collapse and send them careening into rivers and canyons, or onto the traffic below. This is the sort of thing that a guy with Obama’s communication skills could have pushed harder, maybe even using the Minnesota incident (linked above by **Bullitt** ) as an example of what happens when we don’t keep up with the maintenance. I’m not arguing that Obama is to blame for the problem—far from it—and a stronger push probably still would have ended up dying on the shores of Republican obstruction, but if this is going to happen, a good first step is making it a bigger part of the public conversation. Infrastructure might not be sexy, but its lack of sexiness is, in a very real sense, a reflection of its massive importance. It’s so yawn-inducing precisely because it deals with stuff that is taken for granted as a fixture in our daily lives. It’s something that we need to think about and address before it collapses. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/42 "2017-03-13T22:56:52Z")
I didn’t mean to imply that you were obtuse, but the nearly unprecidented degree of obstructionism in the last eight years combined with some of the most counter-factual rhetoric entering the public discourse in half a decade virtually ensured that whatever the President said, no action would take place because the GOP was more dedicated to taking down Obama than taking care of business. And I say this with many personal criticisms of the Obama administration failing to back campaign pledges and advancing policies that were detrimental to transparency and accountability, but in this case I doubt he could have said or done anything that would have made a difference in terms of legislative action, and frankly, conservative Republican voters in general seem to be far more motivated by supposed moral and ideological issues than the practical aspects of effective governance. In other words, virtually no one, and especially people who are focused on which bathrooms should be used by what people, give a good whore’s fuck about infrastructure until bridges actually start falling down. And that is probably equally true of both ends of the political spectrum, while the “neglected middle” of moderation is left increasingly unrepresented. I wholeheartedly agree on the need to address infrastructure–not only transportation but communications, electrical distribution, et cetera–is as important an issue for our future as whether Russia “hacked” our election or any other transitory issue; long after these events are footnotes in a history text we’ll be coping with our efforts or lack thereof in maintaining and upgrading infrastructure. But getting people to care, and continue to support it is a sisyphusian task. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/43 "2017-03-13T23:00:31Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > _sigh_ Big Sur is on the Pacific Coast, geographically isolated from the Central Valley by the Santa Lucia mountain range, with no practical means to build "back-up…heavy roads to handle semi-fulls [sic], nor the protected access to bring in supplies by sea. It is for this reason that it has remained largely pristine and undeveloped (along with local interests opposing selling coastal land to wealthy and celebrities to build giant cliffside mansions blocking the public view as they has so pervasively done in Malibu and Seaside. Please look at a map. > > Stranger I think this is what I said - there is no “just go around”. The Big Sur area (I lived in SF for 30 years, and drove PCH a few times) just makes it “and never will have such back-up”. I was responding to the “so one bridge fails - what’s the big deal?” posts from people for whom tiny, isolated hamlets are completely unknown and unimaginable. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/44 "2017-03-14T00:06:33Z")
I have driven and ridden a bicycle along Hwy 1 in this area a few times. Our last bike trip thru there was just this past summer (prior to the big fire). If they can get the footpath in place, and allow people on bicycles to access the trail (walking), it may be a lifeline to those businesses south of the broken bridge. Very few cars - Hwy 1 would essentially become America’s most awesome bike trail (until the new bridge is completed). Credit card bike trip - Post Ranch Inn, Nepthene, Treebones, Ragged Point Inn, etc. would help those businesses (and residents) during a tough time (if they can remain open at all). ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/45 "2017-03-14T02:05:26Z")
Some how I doubt many bicyclists are going to pay the $1000/night and up lodging costs at Post Ranch, and I can’t see riding a bike from Nepenthe after having a two cocktail steak dinner. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/46 "2017-03-14T02:45:05Z")
Maybe they’ll update the new bridge design? Perhaps make the lanes wider? Most older bridges have outdated narrow lanes. A pedestrian lane would a nice feature. Especially since this bridge links the town together. Well, they already encountered the first problem. 🙂 These men need bigger balls. LOL [http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article138343958.html](http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article138343958.html) > [@](#): > > Everyone was prepared for the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge to come falling down Monday evening, as Caltrans crews began demolition of the cracked Highway 1 bridge that connects Big Sur to the rest of the outside world. > > Unfortunately, the 6,000-pound wrecking ball and 23-foot-wide crane just weren’t getting the job done. > > “What was happening was the wrecking ball was more gently tapping the deck of the bridge, and not getting the force we really needed it to,” Caltrans spokesman Jim Shivers said. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/47 "2017-03-14T02:59:15Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Some how I doubt many bicyclists are going to pay the $1000/night and up lodging costs at Post Ranch, and I can’t see riding a bike from Nepenthe after having a two cocktail steak dinner. > > Stranger Yeah, you are probably right. 🙂 Lower-key locations like Lucia and Gorda could benefit, tho. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/48 "2017-03-14T03:22:15Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > You gave yourself a little treat, then, finding Los Osos! LOL, you probably drove over the bridge I talked about. I lived in a more specific part of the area called Baywood Park. I love the whole area still, but you can’t go home. > > If you find yourself there again and are a fan of authentic Thai food, I strongly recommend making your way down to 2nd Street to find Little Noi’s Thai Takeout restaurant. [Trip Advisor on Little Noi’s](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32661-d818467-Reviews-Noi_s_Little_Thai_Takeout-Los_Osos_San_Luis_Obispo_County_California.html) > > Did you visit Montaña de Oro State Park? If not, it’s worth a bit of a drive to spend some time in this breathtaking spot. If you time it right, you may find the Monarch butterflies there on their migration to Mexico. [Montaña de Oro State Park](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=592) When you wrote about the bridge, yes I think I remember going over it. But it was a few years ago and that was my first time there. I found both places on the map, the Thai place and Montaña de Oro State Park. ([Google Maps](https://goo.gl/pzfolj)) I will have to check those out, thanks. I have flagged them for when I’m there next, but that might not be for a few years still. Thank you, though. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/49 "2017-03-14T03:42:32Z")
I’m surprised that they don’t put in a parallel Bailey bridge to handle traffic while they build a new bridge. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/50 "2017-03-14T04:05:26Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Yeah, you are probably right. 🙂 > > Lower-key locations like Lucia and Gorda could benefit, tho. After riding up the hill to Gorda, pretty much any rest and refreshment would be welcome. > [@Muffin](#): > > I’m surprised that they don’t put in a parallel Bailey bridge to handle traffic while they build a new bridge. The problem is footings; there really aren’t any. Along the Big Sur coast, the CA-1 is mostly just a cut in the steep slope running down to the ocean. It makes for amazing views but not a lot of terrain to put bridges or pullouts. Second to the northern coast CA-1 from Bodega Bay to Mendocino, it is the most rugged and forbidding highways in the continential United States, and a single mudslide can render it unusable for weeks. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/51 "2017-03-14T04:47:25Z")
Same problem just south of Crescent City. Have you spent time around the Last Chance Grade? I must say, it’s a sphincter-tightener driving south to Eureka. [Last Chance Grade](http://www.currypilot.com/slideShows?layout=2&storyId=5131360&currSlide=1) Too beautiful not to, though. If you haven’t already done it, the bit between Gold Beach, OR and south to Eureka, CA is sublime. If you can go in winter and manage to catch it during decent weather, you’ll have the road pretty much to yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Wednesday\_Evening](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Wednesday\_Evening](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wednesday_Evening)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2017, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/52 "2017-03-14T16:23:43Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > If you find yourself there again and are a fan of authentic Thai food, I strongly recommend making your way down to 2nd Street to find Little Noi’s Thai Takeout restaurant. [Trip Advisor on Little Noi’s](https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g32661-d818467-Reviews-Noi_s_Little_Thai_Takeout-Los_Osos_San_Luis_Obispo_County_California.html) \ Noi and her sister Doi have recently opened another restaurant with an expanded menu (including favorites from Noi’s Takeout) and seating: [Noi and Doi’s 2nd Street Cafe](https://www.yelp.com/biz/noi-and-dois-2nd-street-cafe-baywood-los-osos). \ ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/53 "2017-03-16T15:33:32Z")
I posted this in the Help me move to SoCal thread but it’s worth sharing here. Google Maps routes you all the way around, it’s now 200 miles and almost 4 hours around the road closures at Palo Colorado at Big Sur to Ragged Point at San Simeon: [Google Maps](https://goo.gl/zOYEM7). The closed portion is roughly equivalent to the 45 miles between Greenfield and Bradley on 101: [Google Maps](https://goo.gl/yQp3HE). ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/54 "2017-05-24T19:17:53Z")
Looks like the fun [keeps on coming](http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/24/us/california-landslide-scenic-highway/). ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/55 "2017-05-24T20:58:05Z")
The new bridge is supposed to open in Sept. It may not get much use until these landslides are cleared. [https://www.google.com/amp/www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-california-new-pfeiffer-canyon-bridge-20170412-story,amp.html](https://www.google.com/amp/www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-california-new-pfeiffer-canyon-bridge-20170412-story,amp.html) The hiking trail detour is open for residents. I predict they’ll be much fitter by Sept. There’s several photos. They did a nice job and made the trail safe for non hikers. > **[Photos and Videos – Santa Cruz Sentinel](https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/tag/photos-and-videos/)** ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/56 "2017-05-24T21:23:16Z")
Life on the access trail. Interesting take by someone that walked it. > **[A Walk About Town: Losing (and finding) the way along the Pfeiffer Canyon trail](https://www.montereyherald.com/2017/05/10/a-walk-about-town-losing-and-finding-the-way-along-the-pfeiffer-canyon-trail/)** > > go@montereyherald.com For many years, I’ve been the poetry teacher at Captain Cooper Elementary School. I’ve gotten to know not only the children but parents and others in the Big Sur… > [@](#): > > Just as in the olden days, the trail is not only a way home or to work but a way into greetings and conversation. Old friends who might otherwise rarely have a chance to see each other get reacquainted. By walking along, instead of driving, neighbors do more than wave hello to each other. Kids run together back and forth playing hide-and-seek among the trees. You can’t exactly be in a hurry on this path unless you’re in excellent shape. Despite that I walk a lot, that trail had me huffing and puffing. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/57 "2017-05-25T00:12:22Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Looks like the fun [keeps on coming](http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/24/us/california-landslide-scenic-highway/). Saw that on the news last night. Just what we need! ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/58 "2017-05-25T01:37:34Z")
_uneasy_ Are there many places where a massive potential landslide hangs over a route ? 40’ is pretty deep too. … > [@aceplace57](#): > > Life on the access trail. Interesting take by someone that walked it. > [A Walk About Town: Losing (and finding) the way along the Pfeiffer Canyon trail – Monterey Herald](http://www.montereyherald.com/lifestyle/20170510/a-walk-about-town-losing-and-finding-the-way-along-the-pfeiffer-canyon-trail)[ > > > [@](#): > > > > Just as in the olden days, the trail is not only a way home or to work but a way into greetings and conversation. Old friends who might otherwise rarely have a chance to see each other get reacquainted. By walking along, instead of driving, neighbors do more than wave hello to each other. Kids run together back and forth playing hide-and-seek among the trees. You can’t exactly be in a hurry on this path unless you’re in excellent shape. Despite that I walk a lot, that trail had me huffing and puffing. If only the people in the Big City, like NY or SF, could have the benefits of eschewing transport, walking to their business and reconnecting with their fellows along the way like this ! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/59 "2017-05-25T03:17:48Z")
There’s always unexpected benefits from unexpected problems that life throws our way. I’m sure that community is looking forward to the new bridge. This community will be much closer and in far better shape after months of regular walking. The health benefits could last for several years. It might even add a year or so to their lives. Especially if they continuing hiking after this emergency. The article mentioned the trail ascends 400 ft the final quarter mile. Quite a workout when you’re carrying a few groceries or school books. Now I’m itching to drag out my hiking boots and backpack. I’ve loved hiking all my life. Met many wonderful people on the trails. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999/60 "2017-05-25T04:21:28Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Looks like the fun [keeps on coming](http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/24/us/california-landslide-scenic-highway/). Brutal. The hits just keep on coming… Thank you sir, may I have another? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-1-bridge-fails-cutting-off-big-sur/781999.md?page=4)