Heavy rains caused the road to collapse

Landslide

Parts of iconic Highway 1 collapsed into the sea

Christina Nordh

Published 2024-04-02 10.54

A large section of classic Highway 1 in California has broken loose and fallen into the sea after heavy rains. Photo: AP

Rain fell heavily across California and iconic Highway 1 over the Easter weekend.

On a scenic stretch, a large part of the road collapsed into the sea.

1,600 were locked up in Big Sur.

The queues have grown and are slowly moving forward after parts of the classic route have disappeared. Only one lane remains open for residents who want to leave the city, according to Kevin Drabinski, a spokesman for the California Department of Transportation, Caltrans.

- During the time that the convoys pass, we have observers on site to check that it is safe to pass the route, he tells AP.

It was on Easter Eve that the road collapsed near the Rocky Creek Bridge 17 miles south of Monterey.

HIghway 1 has regular closures due to erosion, landslides and rockslides during severe storms.

The stretch of road that collapsed over the Easter weekend.