| Date: | Thursday, March 7, 2024 |
| District: | 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties |
| Contact: | Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers |
| Phone: | (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237 |
CALTRANS ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC STUDY MOVES SPEED LIMITS LOWER ON 44.5 MILES OF HIGHWAY 1 ON THE BIG SUR COAST
MONTEREY COUNTY– Caltrans announced today that it will be reducing the speed limit along 44.5 miles of State Route 1 in Monterey County on the Big Sur coast.
The decision was based on results of a recent engineering and traffic survey of this corridor which found the lower speed limits to be appropriate to facilitate the safe and orderly movement of traffic. This study was initiated as part of the California Department of Transportation program to periodically evaluate speed limit zones on state highways in Caltrans District 5.
Speed limits will be lowered on three segments Highway 1 north of the San Luis Obispo and Monterey County line.
· For the 14-mile segment of Highway 1 between Post Mile 0.0 and Post Mile 14 (from county line to just north of the Sand Dollar Beach Picnic Area), the recommendation is to decrease the existing 55-mph speed limit to 45-mph.
· For the 22.5-mile segment of Highway 1 between Post Mile 14 and Post Mile 36.5 (from just north of Sand Dollar Beach Picnic Area to just north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park), the recommendation is to decrease the existing 55-mph speed limit to 50-mph.
· For the 8-mile segment of Highway 1 between Post Mile 36.5 and Post Mile 44.5 (from north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to just south of Coast Ridge Road), the recommendation is to decrease the existing 55-mph speed limit to 40-mph.
The analysis conducted for this corridor showed common elements of concern for all three segments subject to the lowered speed limits. These elements include limited shoulder width, a high density of bicyclists, and the presence of pedestrians.
The California Highway Patrol Monterey Area expressed their full support for the recommendations by Caltrans to lower the speed limits on these segments of Highway 1. Ian Troxell, Monterey Area CHP Captain noted, “Slower speeds will afford motorists greater reaction time in navigating the roadway, reducing the likelihood of collisions, and enhancing overall road safety. It is imperative that we take proactive steps to address the unique challenges posed by the infrastructure and traffic dynamics of this corridor.”
Enforcement of the new lower speeds will begin once all speed limit signs have been updated. These updates are expected to be completed within the next 30 days.
Caltrans uses a number of resources when making speed limit determinations on state highways. These include the California Vehicle Code (CVC), the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (which is based on the CVC), the Safe Systems Approach by way of Caltrans Director’s Policy 36 (DP-36), as well as engineering judgement and engineering evaluation.
This decision is made in the full spirit of the Caltrans Director’s Policy 36 which is intended to establish a corporate expectation to prioritize safety in order to achieve its goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. The Policy clearly directs that all divisions of Caltrans shall align their programs, plans, policies, procedures, and practices with the Safe System approach as appropriate to their division. Safe and prudent speed zones are an integral aspect of the Safe System Approach and the Caltrans 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.
Additional Resources
The CA Office of Traffic Safety: https://www.ots.ca.gov/the-safe-system/
US Department of Transportation Safe System Approach: https://www.transportation.gov/NRSS/SafeSystem
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.