Cal-Trans just issued the news release quoted below. Also, while I haven’t received a release on them, there are two other on-going projects I have witnessed. One is just south of Packard/3 Palms beach. It involves a one-way stop light. Another project is north of Ragged Point. Last I saw, it did not have a signal light, but news reports in SLO papers indicate one will be installed.
Date: Monday, November 30, 2009
District: 5 – Santa Barbara, SLO, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties
Contact: Janet Newland or Colin Jones
Phone: (805) 549-3461 or (805) 549-3189
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAJOR BRIDGE AND ROCKSHED PROJECT BEGINS ON HIGHWAY 1 SOUTH OF LUCIA
MONTEREY COUNTY – Roadwork will begin this week on the Highway 1 Pitkin’s Curve Bridge and Rainrocks Rockshed. The project will install a 620-foot long bridge and protective cover on Highway 1 just south of the town of Lucia.
During the first stage of the project the roadway will be relocated closer to the hillside and one-way flagging operations may be in effect from 8 am to 4 pm Monday though Friday. By spring, a temporary traffic signal will be in place so one-way traffic control will be in effect 24/7.
The project will protect motorists and the highway from falling rock and slides. The contractor for this $29 million project is Golden State Bridge of Martinez, California. The project requires four years of construction time; however, it will go through several winter seasons so completion may be extended depending upon severity of the weather.
“We are thrilled to break ground on a project that will significantly enhance the long-term stability of the coast highway,” said District 5 Director Rich Krumholz.
Caltrans reminds motorists that “we’re here to get you there.”
For more information on you can call the toll-free project hotline at (888) 836-0866 or visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/projects/pitkins/index.htm.
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Geez…they start this in the dead of winter? Seems ill-planned.