Devil's Slide
dot.ca.gov/dist4/dslide
The coast between Pacifica and Montara is unsurpassed in scenic beauty. Carved out of the steep cliff sides, Route 1 hugs the coastline for much of the distance between these two towns. In one part, the road crosses the aptly named Devil's Slide region, a steep, unstable geological formation. This section of road has a long history of closure due to rockslides and land slippage. One of the longest road closures happened in 1995. It lasted 158 days, and cost almost $3 million to repair. Following many years of public input and careful evaluation of alternatives, Devil's Slide will be by-passed by two inland tunnels, providing a safe, dependable highway between Pacifica and Montara. This is the Devil's Slide Tunnels Project. The project calls for construction of two tunnels beneath San Pedro Mountain, each 30-feet wide and 4,200-feet long. At the northern end, a 1,000-feet bridge will span the valley at Shamrock Ranch. A re-alignment of Route 1 at the southern end will provide safe transition into and out of the tunnel. Approximately one-quarter mile south of the tunnel is the site of an Operations and Maintenance facility. An earthen embankment and vegetation-covered roof will help the facility blend with natural surroundings. [less] - Description and model provided by peterX