Highway 1 was officially reopened to traffic on Friday after being closed for nearly 50 days after it spilled into the ocean. This is a pivotal moment for a struggling economy dependent on tourism revenue. The road used to be open only during set convoy hours, but is now open to one-way traffic with traffic lights. ” This morning, I was able to go outside about 10 minutes after it opened and ended up seeing as many guests as I have seen so far. “When you combine the events of the past week, it’s very uplifting and very morale-boosting,” said Kirk Gaffir, president of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce and owner of Nepenthe Restaurant. Big Sur’s hospitality industry can fully welcome guests again for the first time. On opening day, the parking lot was full, the restaurant was packed, and cars lined up at the foot of the iconic Bixby Bridge for the first time in nearly seven weeks. “This is the first time I’ve been able to visit Bixby Bridge and I’ve heard so many great stories.” So I saw on the news that it was scheduled to open at 6:30 a.m. today, so I was wondering if I could get here today. I thought I needed to check,” says Hyalin Murray Christianson, visiting from Norway. Big Sur’s hospitality industry came to a screeching halt the moment Highway 1 collapsed into the ocean in March. did. Since then, some businesses have had to temporarily lay off employees, while others have been forced to take out loans or draw down savings. Industry leaders estimate economic losses have exceeded $50 million since the shutdown began. This iconic road has received significant international attention, and its closure affected the entire state. “It’s dramatic, it’s beautiful, it’s amazing, it has all these world-class qualities. We’re here as a successful economic enterprise, but it’s not without its challenges.” says. The sooner-than-expected reopening of roads was a decisive moment that breathed life into a struggling industry. For many, the timing couldn’t have been better. “Memorial Day weekend really marks the beginning of summer,” says Big Sur River Inn General Manager Colin Twohig. But experts say we have a long way to go before the economy fully recovers. “Road closures due to fires, landslides, or slides often take a long time. Road closures always make national news, but often they don’t.” , this time we’re all really trying to get the word out that we’re open,” Twohig said.
Highway 1 was officially reopened to traffic on Friday after being closed for nearly 50 days after it spilled into the ocean.
This is a pivotal moment for a struggling economy dependent on tourism revenue. The road used to be open only during set times for convoys, but it is now open to one-way traffic with traffic lights.
“It was very uplifting to be able to walk out this morning about 10 minutes after we opened and see as many guests as we’ve seen all of last week,” said Kirk Gaffill of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce. Morale has also increased tremendously.” President and owner of Nepenthe Restaurant.
Big Sur’s hospitality industry will be able to fully welcome guests for the first time. On opening day, the parking lot was full, the restaurant was full, and cars lined up at the base of the iconic Bixby Bridge for the first time in nearly seven weeks.
“I wasn’t able to visit Bixby Bridge and had heard so many great things about it, so when I saw the news report that it was scheduled to open at 6:30 a.m. today, I decided to check it out to make sure. “I thought, ‘If only I could get down here today,'” says Hyarin Murray Kristianson, visiting from Norway.
Big Sur’s hospitality industry came to a screeching halt the moment Highway 1 collapsed into the ocean in March. Since then, some businesses have had to temporarily lay off employees, while others have been forced to take out loans or draw down savings. Industry leaders estimate economic losses of more than $50 million since the shutdown began.
This iconic road has received significant international attention and its closure affected the entire state.
“It’s dramatic, it’s beautiful, it’s amazing, and it has all these world-class attributes that make our ability to exist here a successful economic enterprise, but it’s not without its challenges,” Ghafir said. says Mr.
The reopening of roads earlier than expected was a decisive moment that breathed life into a struggling industry. For many, the timing couldn’t have been better.
“Memorial Day weekend truly marks the beginning of summer,” says Big Sur River Inn General Manager Colin Twohig.
But experts say the full economic impact may not be seen until much later, and the road to recovery is long.
“Road closures due to fires, landslides, slipouts, etc. often take a long time.No matter what the case, when a road is closed it always makes national news, but even when the road reopens, it can take a long time. A lot of times it doesn’t make national news. This time, people are trying really hard to get the word out that we’re open,” Twohig said.
