Day: April 10, 2018

MoCo sends PR, but no solutions, on Rio Rd Construction, 4/10/18

MONTEREY COUNTY

April 10, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATE ROUTE 1 CLIMBING LANE AT RIO ROAD

CARMEL, CA–The Monterey County Resource Management Agency (RMA) is managing the construction of the Highway 1 Climbing Lane Project, under permit from Caltrans. The County is aware of the current traffic delays and is working closely with Caltrans and the contractor to improve the situation. The construction activities will continue to affect traffic flow for the duration of the project, however the County in coordination with Caltrans is actively working on minimizing traffic delays.

Construction work hours are normally from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with occasional overnight roadwork between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. The project is five months in duration and is slated to be complete at the end of August.

The State Route 1 Climbing Lane Project consists of widening State Route 1 (SR-1) on the eastside, to provide a second northbound lane and installation of new signal poles at the SR-1/Rio Road and SR-1/Carmel Valley Road intersections. Recent activities involve placing temporary concrete barriers along the project site. This will remain in place until after the final paving is complete on SR-1. All interim traffic measures are necessary to maximize public safety, while facilitating traffic flows as best possible, while construction crews work behind the barriers.

Thank you for your patience. Additional information can be found at:

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-i-z/resource-management-agency-rma-/public-works-facilities/current-major-projects/highway-1-climbing-lane

http://www.tamcmonterey.org/cone-zone-report-7/

http://dot.ca.gov/dist05/paffairs/monterey/conezone_report.pdf

For more information, please contact Christine Poe, Management Analyst II at PoeC@co.monterey.ca.us or at (831)755-5025.

Tourist Tuesdays, 4/10/18

Noon, from a Highlands Neighbor:

”I called Christine Poe around 9:30 and was transferred to her after a short wait. She was very understanding of the frustration we are all experiencing in getting through the Rio Road/Hwy. 1 intersection. I mainly spoke with her regarding the safety issues of having that intersection blocked if there an emergency, the possible impatience of a driver deciding to pass other vehicles, and the lack of well timed traffic lights. She did tell me that engineers were scheduled to be at the site today to discuss the traffic situation and she would add my safety concerns to their discussion. She also suggested having Highway Patrol there to control traffic in person might alleviate the problem. Unfortunately, the CHP site notes that they do not have the man power to do so.”

6:30 am – With the road work at Rio Rd. to last through the summer, this will be the 3d summer in a row where local Big Sur businesses face challenges. Patience will be required, and weekend trips to town will be curtailed. Three big events are scheduled during this construction project: Big Sur Marathon, Sea Otter Classic, and Amgen. The Concours is scheduled for the end of August. Any bets on whether the construction will be finished in time?

I am taking this day off from Tourists and Tourism and enjoying the spring weather and planning for gardening projects. I need grounding and balance.