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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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. 

Notification of Upcoming Film Activity – Big Sur Area 

Date: Monday 3/11/2024

To: Big Sur Residents and Businesses 

From: Jimmy Baldwin, permit coordinator, Little Minx Films

Re: Film Production Activity on Highway 1 in the Big Sur Area, on Monday 3/11/2024

In an effort to better communicate with Big Sur residents regarding upcoming filming activities, this is to notify you of an upcoming permitted aerial film shoot scheduled for Monday, 3/11/2024, between 7am and 7pm. Our work will require intermittent traffic control (ITC) at and near Bixby Bridge and Hwy 1 Mile Markers 50 to 70. As per our permit, a portion of the Bixby Bridge turnout will be used for parking of production vehicles, although No more than 50% of turnout will be used. 

We will be hiring California Highway Patrol officers to facilitate the ITC – ensuring public safety and access with only brief traffic holds of 5 minutes. Most of our trucks and equipment will be stationed a few miles away on private property, and a small essential-only team will base at the Coast Road.

We have taken all steps to ensure that the required permits have been obtained from Caltrans and Monterey County and will comply with restrictions necessary for a safe and efficient shoot. 

The production company would like to show its appreciation to the community with a donation to the Mid-Coast Fire Brigade.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. I hope this advance notice is helpful for you to plan your day. 

Bree advises us to notice that the SB lane of Highway 1 is deteriorating and beginning to fall toward the ocean. And Bree is right. The slide has definitely gotten wider.

As Dave Nelson reminds me, all us OG residents call this spot where the slide is “Wing Gulch” as it is on my maps of the coastal slides. The young ‘uns at Caltrans are calling this Dolan Point. In reality, there is about 3/10ths of a mile difference in locations, Dolan Point being on the north end. Dave also reminded me that this terracing is what they did 20 years ago…so I guess that means this spot should be good for 20 years when completed, right? Here are the photos.

While it is predicted to be severe in the Sierras with up to 10’ of snow and major road closures, here it will be a bit milder, but still a possibility of significant rainfall and snow down to 2000’, A reminder, Daniel Swain of Weather West will be having Office hours on You Tube at 10:00 am. Tune in here: https://www.youtube.com/live/6-Epct0Ynx8?si=z0PjoucW9FtxqXxZ

From NWS/NOAA:

“We hate to be the bearer of bad news but the late week weather looks downright…unpleasant. Cold, windy, and cloudy with periods of rain. Dreary conditions will linger into Saturday. Clearing a bit for early next week but temperatures will remain chilly #cawx”

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, the Coastal Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the consistency determination submitted by the U.S. Forest Service proposing to prohibit overnight camping and campfires for a two-year period at San Carpoforo Beach, in Big Sur.  The hearing agenda, along with instructions on how to provide written comments and to participate in the hearing either in person or via Zoom, is available at this link: 

https://www.coastal.ca.gov/meetings/agenda/#/2024/3

The Coastal Commission’s staff recommendation on this proposal will be posted and available for your review at this link with Thursday’s Agenda Item 10a, along with correspondence received to date, including the letters and emails you’ve already provided.

Thanks, and please let me know if you have any questions,

Tom Luster

Senior Environmental Scientist

Energy, Ocean Resources, and Federal Consistency Division

It was so uplifting to have the sun shining and warmer temperatures for the weekend. It allowed me some time to continue clean-up from the last storm and the one before that. I did not build a single fire in the wood stoves this weekend. What a nice break. Now, that is about to change.

But this coming weekend, it looks as if snow levels could be lowered to 2000’ (I am at 3200’). John LIndsey of SLO. Good for the snow pack in the Sierras and for skiers, not so much for me. Although it is beautiful! Stay tuned as the forecast comes more into focus!

From Daniel Swain (Weather West) I’ll have my next live YouTube weather & climate office hours this Thu (2/29) at 10am PT. Topic will be the upcoming pattern shift toward much colder storms, including possibility of very heavy Sierra snowfall! #CAwx #CAwater

This is a photo of a piece of artwork on the wall in the radiology department.

Monterey County is making every effort to make Zoom meetings available for the BSMAAC meetings. For those of us south of the slides, this would be a life-saver, to say the least. I have been attending these meetings since 1984, not too long after they started. In those 40 years, I have probably missed less than a dozen meetings, that’s how important I think they are.

Monterey County did a quasi “dry run” of this and recorded the meeting, which is now available on you tube for viewing. This is the meeting that was held on 2/9/24. Thank you, Alex Vetsula for making this available to me and to my readers. And thank you, Monterey County for taking BSMAAC into the 21st century. Please feel free to pass this along. This could be a game changer for many of us, especially those of us who have lived South of the slide for 14 months now.

Here is the link:
https://youtu.be/6oG3nZhCrIA