Should California abandon Highway 1?

[@fig1]

Read more about the future of Highway 1, including the costs of maintaining this iconic road: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/should-california-give-highway-1?

[@glike2]

@@fig1 Thanks! TLDR quotes from the article: "UC Santa Cruz professor of Earth science Gary Griggs ... Griggs favors treating Big Sur like any other major tourist destination and charging an entrance fee to generate enough money for cleanup. “Some of these big slides cost $50 million to fix. Somewhere between 5 and 7 million people travel that road in a typical year when it's open; if every car pays $10, that would go a long way in covering the repair costs,” Griggs says. "

[@m.hartyfool]

This highway is one of the most beloved treasures in California.

[@MoonShine-o5n]

Yep. I drove it all the way to Washington state on 101. One of the best memories of my life. Stunning drive.

[@m.hartyfool]

@ I agree! Mom was driving on my first trip so I was free to look around. Wonderful!

[@Michael0697]

It's a true American rite of passage. The main feature and most important route that I took on my road trip through California's coast, from its border with Mexico all the way into Oregon, was the part of the trip that was doing the PCH from start to finish. The PCH takes you through different ecosystems and opens your eyes to the sheer, undeniable beauty of the California coast. I am honored and blessed to have been able to drive the PCH from start to finish. From Dana Point to the Redwoods, every mile is special and unlike any other in this beautiful country.

[@randomamerican524]

Gonna miss the highway when we decide to close it

[@southend26]

World

[@720JC]

One of my fondest memories is taking my dog for a road trip down highway 1 during the pandemic. Nobody around me, I could go as slow as I want and stop whenever I want

[@YELLOWVETTE]

We should absolutly not abandon the most beautiful road in the state. Coastal erosion is enevitable. But the highway can be repaired. It can be fortified. I say save it.

[@randomamerican524]

Can we even afford to keep fighting to save highway 1?

[@konjfful2963]

Okay how about you pay for it. I'm not paying for that garbage

[@YELLOWVETTE]

@konjfful2963 I do pay for it. Everyone in Cali does.

[@fbgmroadrunner456]

Did you even watch the video? You cant fortify against a landslide.

[@YELLOWVETTE]

@fbgmroadrunner456 ummm that's why I said, "but the highway can be repaired. It can be fortified." After a landslide, you would repair it.

[@dannybuilding1044]

Did this road trip after my wife gave birth to our son and help her postpartum. So beautiful, we stayed in ragged point inn

[@DTDan-b8r]

It is too close to the shore! Side roads to scenic vistas are easier to maintain. You've tried to mix tourism with transportation, and all you get is very expensive distracted driving.

[@TysonIke]

I would say at this point all transportation is done inland on 101, I5, or SR99

[@mendodsoregonbackroads6632]

@@TysonIke That would be incorrect. People that live in costal communities depend on that road.

[@mimil5168]

​@@mendodsoregonbackroads6632and they shouldn't. It all comes down to practicalities. Those homes are the first ones being dropped by the insurance companies.

[@mendodsoregonbackroads6632]

@@mimil5168 Why should the homes be dropped by insurance because the road has issues? The homes aren't falling into the ocean.

[@myownboss1]

“Castles made of sand…. Slip into the sea… Eventually…”‼️ - Jimi

[@thisisntsergio1352]

Wearing his shirt right now!

[@glike2]

Make the most expensive to maintain sections TOLL ROAD. Californian's have enough taxes and don't need to subsidize tourism and the rich Big Sur locals, but they could get a yearly pass to make it fair

[@jimbranaghan1228]

Bad idea .

[@morrisng72]

don't rob ppl

[@Greenliight]

That inhibits your freedom to travel freely, highway 1 is a major roadway for van lifers, travelers and tourists so there’s a lot of people who would be negatively impacted by this. Instead we need to better allocate the millions and millions we already do give in taxes to rebuild our infrastructure instead of giving homeless people needles and illegal immigrants health care.

[@GAT-pr6dt]

Stockholm syndrome comment.

[@bfranco1519]

Toll road? You’re kidding right? We already pay the highest taxes in the country ya bafoon. Guy talking about earthquakes but it’s always rain and landslides that close it…

[@frederickma2193]

If you've ever been down this stretch of road - Big Sur - on the Southbound coast side in a RV you'd know why it collapses. In Fall and Winter this area gets heavy rainfall. And this road is not an Interstate.

[@jasonhanson6563]

I feel like it has more to do with the ocean next to it.

[@Michael0697]

It's a state highway, And CalTrans builds Cali state highways to specs that meet or exceed the fortification and stability minimums of interstate highways, so it has nothing to do with its lack of interstate designation. Jason is spot on, it all has to do with its scenic routing alongside highly unstable coastline.

[@jasonhanson6563]

It’s also where a bunch of people live, so not really an option to abandon whole towns.

[@AaronTheHarris]

Lots of towns have been abandoned since the interstates were opened to bypass them

[@ksuen106]

It’s not only PCH, but the train tracks as well. I remember being on Amtrak one day where the whole car jolted (left/right) after Oceanside/near San Diego. That part of the track was closed for repairs shortly after because the land was shifting.

[@teuast]

Yup, they're working on a tunnel under the Del Mar bluff for that very reason. Can't open soon enough, if you ask me. The Coaster/Surfliner ROW also needs to be electrified and double tracked, and there should be high frequency connections all the way from LA Union to Santa Fe Depot (or the proposed future Downtown San Diego Station), but that's another rant for another day.

[@noremfor]

As a San Franciscan, Highway 1 is my gateway to Monterey Bay. I've always enjoyed the oceanside views from it, and it made me excited for whenever I was visiting Santa Cruz, Capitola, or even Monterey itself. The northern section of Hwy 1 is pretty flat in comparison to Big Sur, or its more southern sections though, so it isnt experiencing quite the same issues there.

[@davidgrisez]

California Highway 1 between Morro Bay on the South and Carmel on the North is the most scenic coastal highway in the entire state of California. There are incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and Coastal Mountains. Over time State Parks and small communities have developed along California Coastal Highway 1. Because of the State Parks and the small tourist communities, it is necessary to keep this highway and maintain this highway. So there is no easy, simple solution to all the landslides that occur because of the geology of this area. Because of the high cost to maintain this highway it should be made into a toll road, with fees charged to tourists and visitors to keep the highway maintained.

[@djkim1019]

Can we try forestation method employed by some Asian countries. Plant trees with large roots that can hold the earth together. I think it's better use of the $$$ than keep pouring concrete in building reinforcement.

[@Drewcardello]

but that would require california to use their brains. Toyon or lemonade berry would be best native plants for that

[@Chlovesss]

@@Drewcardello no planting trees along the highway would block the view

[@Drewcardello]

@@Chlovesssthe alternative is not having a highway

[@Chlovesss]

@@Drewcardello the alternative is rebuilding sections that break

[@elianna838]

@@Chlovesssonly to have them break again 😂 i agree with using trees as stabilization but that's not necessarily possible in all the areas.

[@DiamondDepthYT]

Went to Big Sur for a day, and left a bit early as it started to rain. Shortly after we left, one of those road shutdowns of this year happened. Dodged a bullet.

[@visno]

if you’ve ever driven highway 1 by big sur, you know the answer to the question, “should highway 1 be saved?” is a resounding yes.

[@OldPapaBear]

Great ride on a motorcycle.

[@kenogster3059]

We all know why it happens and no we can't stop it from happening again.

[@hellocopter108]

Erosion?

[@SuperLisona]

Jews?

[@kenogster3059]

@@SuperLisona No, Bigotry. Sounds like you know all about that.

[@suemiller9506]

Drove this in 1975 on a road trip from Alberta, Big Sur is so beautiful and the coastal highway is stunning. Glad I was able to see it.

[@paulc7400]

Some of the most magical drives I have taken have been on the 1. When its twilight hours and that mist catches the light. Absolutely amazing.

[@wmpopper]

Would make a fine pedestrian/bicycle trail...

[@alexc8461]

It'd be way easier to stop for photos

[@frigidlava617]

yeah I think this makes the most sense, and for cars to access towns along the coast have spur roads that go inland

[@konjfful2963]

Now someone's talking some sense!!

[@johnnyquist8362]

There are millions of us who are disabled or elderly who love the beauty of U.S. One.

[@Cucumberflavoredmustard]

We can either have PCH1, or we would have to replace it with two dozen other access roads over the coastal ranges, each one just as vulnerable.

[@asteverino8569]

Also all the sandstone. Didn't hear it mentioned, just the variety of rocks.

[@williamogilvie6909]

I have news for the author of this video: ahoy 17 does not hug the coast. Hwy 1 and Hwy 17 are TWO DIFFERENT highways.

[@johnedward5520]

It is not “climate change”… forest fires and landslides have been happening since the beginning of Earth. This a road on a cliff on the pacific ocean, it always has been tough to maintain and always will be, but that is because it is extremely unique and special. People travel from around the world to drive up the coast, it is worth the upkeep!

[@boomer3150]

😄😄 I know, I laughed when the clueless narrator said, "climate change", and turned it off.

[@Menon9767]

Climate change means forest fires happen more often because the ground can get hotter and drier, it means rain falls gets more extreme as well. This along with other factors lead to more landslides. Just gotta think a bit deeper

[@konjfful2963]

Ocean level rise is climate change. Found the blind trump supporter lol. "Temperatures and CO2 levels have been consistently increasing since the beginning of ever, duh, climate change is a myth!" Okay mr fox news and joe rogan

[@CSRgamer]

​@@boomer3150username checks out

[@kenzi.h]

I had the chance to drive from SF to LA in 2012 through this road and each turn opens to a sensational view!

[@Lee-sd1vx]

If we have tolls for bridges in the bay area, why not for highway 1? Asides from scenic beauty there is no reason to take the highway compared to taking the 101 or I-5. Perhaps have an exemption from tolls if you live there, but even just a 5 dollar per vehicle toll would really help with maintaining and fortifying it

[@TheIcecoldorange]

Parts of it near Lucia has been closed for over a year. I kept checking for months last year in 2023. No one has been able to completely drive on the central parts of highway 1 for years now.

[@UserCommenter]

Wow this was lit y’all thanks

[@dfinma]

It keeps collapsing b/c it was built where it shouldn't have been built.

[@hellocopter108]

Are you from CA? Have you even driven on it?

[@jmd1743]

@@hellocopter108 It happens to all coastal areas, globally.

[@dfinma]

@@hellocopter108 How is this relevant?

[@jefe6446]

A scenic highway built in one of the most scenic parts of the country?!!! Preposterous! I say we build our scenic highways through Kansas.

[@dfinma]

@@jefe6446 Your lack of logic is laughable.

[@aisle_of_view]

Californians love PCH. Driving through Big Sur is a magical experience.

[@travismiller7679]

Highway one is more than just a road, it's a tourist attraction which is good for its local economies. It's worth maintaining if possible

[@pjm6939]

It was originally built for railroads then converted to a highway when autos became popular in the 1920's.

[@thecreativecrawdad]

Great video!

[@carlitospilot]

Can't just take it for Granite.

[@notchomomma239]

They should stop letting Cal Trans do the work on it. I want Highway 1 OPEN at some point. For those who aren't from California, one particular stretch of road about 100 miles away (the 580, 680 interchange) has been under construction for 30+ years. It will NEVER be completed. The company who spent 30+ years building a single highway interchange and STILL hasn't finished it is in charge of fixing Highway 1. They refuse to work, and we keep paying them time and a half to do nothing.

[@jimcox4728]

They don't call it Devil slide for nothing

[@snaxs2000]

That's why its so beautiful. Mother nature is always shaping that coastline. We have no choice but to adapt if we want that road. The cost is worth it. ❤

[@EthanJDeLano]

I’ll gladly pay an entrance fee to ride up and down Highway 1 through Big Sur!! I’ve done it countless times between SF and LA and that section is definitely the most awe inspiring. And if a few less people want to go because there’s a fee, the better the drive 😁

[@alexischavez96]

I agree. Big Sur and going on Highway 1 should get charged an entrance fee to generate enough money for clean up

[@elkillerx]

Making it a toll road MIGHT help as long as California’s bureaucrats don’t funnel that revenue toward other projects.

[@stevet8121]

I think it's called erosion and gravity. It's been happening forever. Or we could try buying an EV and see if that helps.

[@pyootchnich]

Because heavier EVs defy gravity. Got it.

[@polloman15]

I’m so glad I already had the experience to drive that highway 3 times already. I was unable to do it in my motorcycle but if california doesn’t abandon this highway it definitely is in the bucket list!

[@Katnip452]

It’s a fantastic drive, but yeah, it’s a bit scary seeing the inevitable wash-outs on the news every few years. I think, what if that happens the next time I’m on it, but then a few years go by and I’m heading to Hearst Castle or wherever and it all seems worth the risk.

[@williameason1194]

Only change needed is to make all land and beach west of the highway a national park.

[@foodjam9193]

A couple hundred people live west of the highway

[@Arithryka]

I can think of one possible solution, but it wouldn't make financial sense: rebuild it as an elevated highway supported by reinforced concrete piles driven deep deep deep into the hillside.

[@jtown22]

Solid AD reference 😂

[@amypola5903]

Maybe Highway 1 is abandoning them. Not the other way around.

[@BEdwardStover]

Yes! Just divert through the Big Valley and let Bakersfield profit.

[@PsychonautSaiyan]

I have done this road trip 5 times in my life. I am against any sort of new taxes in CA. But to maintain this road I would gladly pay tax. Every CA resident needs to take this drive… if you havnt then you don’t know the beauty our state has to offer

[@konjfful2963]

Not everyone in the state can afford a car and taxes to maintain a stupid road just so tourists can cause traffic and upload selfies to Instagram. If you pay for it sure but I would love to vote no because it's a waste of money, just like everything regarding cars is a complete waste of money.

[@abinodattil6422]

Please don’t,it’s so stunningly beautiful

[@ShockerTopper]

Huh. I've gone up and down PCH at least 50 times in my life, and I don't recall it ever collapsing. It's not as glamorous as you make it sound at a lot of points though haha..at points between LA County and SLO, it switches back and forth between 70, 20 and 40mph. It's quite annoying.

[@valentinsarmagal]

Devils slide tunnel being expensive is most likely caused by California construction being over priced that the actual cost of digging a tunnel in somewhere normal

[@johnnyquist8362]

Keep the Coastal Highway at any expense. The best place on earth to invest. Especially the GREAT HIGHWAY in San Francisco.

[@SAPPER510]

$54 million dollars to move/remove dirt/rock/debris?....sounds hella excessive! Someone is profiting from that.

[@renegadezen7841]

You just made an engineering marvel sound very simple. Ya let's just move around some dirt and we are good to go , that simple!

[@SAPPER510]

@renegadezen7841 you just made $54 million dollars sound like it's nothing.

[@Skittlez998]

@@SAPPER510 it is nothing. you’re just that poor.

[@SAPPER510]

@@Skittlez998 I guess you have plenty to share then.

[@AaronTheHarris]

Make it a bike-only route and suddenly it becomes an attraction in of itself.

[@peterpauldeleon]

I live about 3 hrs away from big sur and I've never been on that highway.

[@johnnyquist8362]

You are sad

[@MartyInLa]

No, the PCH is beautiful and iconic. It's like saying why why rebuild Tokyo. it keeps getting hit by earthquakes.

[@pfan760]

This is a State icon and heritage road. If they can find $1 billion for homelessness (of which most of it is un-accounted for and homelessness is still rampant) then they can fix and maintain Highway 1!!

[@alexlaux3995]

Local storms generate towering waves that slam the coastline?

[@foodjam9193]

Yes.

[@eddieg6436]

I’m 54 and hope to be alive 30 more years…….Highway 1 will still be around for ME. 😎🥂

[@1.4142]

Has been closed for what feels like 2 years

[@Emacosa]

REBUILD IT But put a SUPER STRONG BARRIER so nothing landslides onto the HIGHWAY Add QUALITY REST AREAS with BUILDING Every Mile - with Bathrooms Table Chairs Sofa Cots, Kitchen Area Emergency Phones, Computer BLANKETS TOILET PAPER Towels Paper towels Water Snacks Car & Tire Repair Stuff Rope Tools Flashlight Batteries

[@EndlessBatterySolutions]

You are all wrong!!!! Create sectional tunnels that interconnect. They can be held up or suspended. Place them ready to go and pre loaded up, or build them directly onto the trailers. Problem arrives???? Fixed in 2-5 days.

[@armandoperez7967]

U.S. 101 between San Francisco and Los Angeles should be rerouted over what is now California 1 and current U.S. 101 between downtown LA and SF should then be upgraded into Interstate 1. The highway is already all divided highway and is more than 60 percent freeway and the rest is expressway with at grade intersections and not a single street light or stop sign.

[@DanielRodriguez-fv5os]

It’s there for a strategic purpose not just for the scenery

[@evilfingers4302]

There is no viable solution to save Hwy 1, also there is another known problem with Hwy 1, people over speeding and losing control of their vehicle on the turns.

[@zachdebuhr6347]

That other "problem" is every single mountain road. If you are going too fast and go off a corner that's your fault and you deserve a Darwin award

[@evilfingers4302]

@@zachdebuhr6347 not as constant as Hwy 1, driver's especially young drivers assume they're on a race track.

[@zachdebuhr6347]

@evilfingers4302 highway 1 isn't that bad. Highway 9, rim of the world etc are much worse with like every other car being some teenager in a miata or 350z.

[@Jdogg4089]

I'm glad me and the fam got to ride it a few years ago before the rest of it collapses.

[@KingLutherQ]

Don't abandon it, it draws in two million tourists a year. Let our engineers figure it out.

[@ktvindicare]

Did you watch the video? There's nothing to figure out. The entire area is constantly eroding. It's simply a bad place to put a road. They can keep repairing it at great cost to the taxpayers, but they can't engineer around the fact that the ground is unstable there and not suitable for a big highway.

[@KingLutherQ]

@@ktvindicare The tourist it brings provides more revenue than the cost to maintain it. If it wasn't for the tourist money it brings, it would have been abandoned decades ago. Now that there are more tourists and building technology than 3 decades ago, there is even greater reasons to keep it. You should visit highway one. The beauty of this place will quickly make you realize why California keeps it.

[@jfr55man]

We pay so much damn tax in California, you would expect they could keep one two lane road open

[@joechang8696]

park fee + severe limits on vehicle weight, say under 2000lb, which mean almost all cars are overweight

[@zachdebuhr6347]

2000 lbs is way too low, more like 4000 lbs. 2000 isn't letting anything but a lotus elan drive.. not even a miata would be light enough

[@joechang8696]

@@zachdebuhr6347 Ok, let's allow a 2-seater so 2500lb factory spec. I had the original Miata in 1989, getting one from the first batch of 10 to the local dealer. Everyone wanted the red and there was a long wait list, but the white one was immediately available and I jumped on it. A few weeks later, I reported to OCS at Newport RI. An officer candidate showing up in a white Miata caused me to get extra grief, but it was worth it.

[@handibode]

Thanks, definitely helpful information but also sparks a lot more questions. The brightsided ending is 🙄

[@larryhutson3386]

What does solar panels got to do with the earths grinding plates

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Yes, but, . . . It has been built and we all know now how beautiful it is. I have driven it a few times and am always awed by the beauty of Coastal California. I am not alone. I hope ways can be found to keep this Big Sur section open.

[@youtubeadmin3158]

Can't even cruise all of pch 1 anymore 😭

[@US395Official]

absolutely 💯 for so many reasons

[@ronaldoago-go5907]

There is no "solution" to the failures. It's been happening for eons.

[@RomanBarba-v8v]

Highway 1 is big joke and should be closed. They keep wasting millions dollars on fixing this highway 1 . Their needs too be a toll fee if they want this highway open and quit wasting taxpayers money on this.

[@BenMonares]

Toll fee sucks and plus they could’ve use the money from the tolls that exist on the bridges at the bay area

[@sadgaytechno]

people would still want to get to big sur even if they had to rent a go-kart or e-bike or something in monterey to do it

[@petep]

It should be converted into a bike path

[@MoonShine-o5n]

I’m tired of this whole “probably shouldn’t exist” bs. If there wasn’t any demand for it, it wouldn’t exist. New Orleans? Shouldn’t exist.. Phoenix? Shouldn’t exist! Miami? Shouldn’t exist. Every place is going to have some problems.. can’t just throw hands and give up every single time. PCH is amazing and I hope they rebuild it every single time. Maybe charge a toll!

[@prateeknarendra1637]

Thank god i did the road trip before landslides started

[@salvadorrosas1981]

Why don’t we get rid of the mountain instead?

[@foodjam9193]

The whole area is a national forest and marine sanctuary. The mountains block and trap moisture playing a huge role in the ecosystem

[@franciscorubio3613]

Watching from Salinas! S/O from home!

[@jmd1743]

I would build a tunnel. These erosion will never improve because oceans naturally wear out coastal areas.

[@OveranalyzingEverything]

That would kinda defeat the purpose of the road. Unless you mean just in specific locations

[@jmd1743]

@@OveranalyzingEverything A road is for getting from Point A to Point B. There road no matter how many times you fix it will continue to fall into the ocean because coastal erosion.

[@brockobama257]

This is the most beautiful drive in California and I support my tax dollars going to preserve it When traveling up or down Cali, taking the 5 is faster but extremely boring. When you have the time, taking the 1 is wayyyy bettterrr

[@Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk-r1y]

Increased vegetation would help stabalize the soil, like trees

[@TravisVarga]

Solid as a rock!

[@kopecktoothpaste996]

Big sir is coming soon with fix

[@frauwolftherehorse]

BIG SIR,,, more like BIG Ma'am. ("that's a HUGE b****;; sorry to bring up that movie)

[@nadogrl]

😂😂😂

[@susangreene9662]

I can live without risking the view.

[@virgo714]

Either move the highway or leave the place alone!

[@campbellsadeghy213]

Absolutely not. Caltrans needs to move heaven and earth to ensure this roadway stays open for all time.

[@ophiuchus992]

Yes

[@ah5415]

solid as a rock

[@tylersmith7054]

In a state famous for spending millions and billions on every absurd thing imaginable, maintaining one of the most iconic and beautiful stretches of road in America is too much? This is why the rest of America mocks California.

[@damnjustassignmeone]

No. That’s an insane idea. Do you realize how much money Highway 1 brings in tourism dollars?

[@thecw301]

I wondered how they were going to somehow shoehorn 'climate change' into this. I was not disappointed.

[@JohnDouma-sq7vf]

Give it back to nature 😮

[@ralphthewrecker302]

NO: the job of government is to provide roads and highways. Regardless of how often they need to be rebuilt or re-engineered.

[@ktvindicare]

The taxpayers have to pay for those roads. Have to pay to maintain them, rebuild them and repair them. Big Sur is a giant money sink and inevitably people are going to die on that road when the landslides inevitably come. It's not worth it. All for some scenic views? You can have those views without the road, just get off your ass and hike to them. Nobody needs that road to continue to exist there. It's not worth the price to keep repairing it and rebuilding it.

[@johngilbert1325]

So much of big sur lacks public access. Many roads off highway 1 are gated, with wealthy landowners only having access. Its a playground for the wealthy. It's not worth it

[@kmaguire7161]

California makes over 140 billion in tourism dollars each year and a large part of that is tourists driving up 1 and visiting the coastal communities along the way. It is very much worth it.