Tag: Highway One

Vandalism on the South Coast

It is hard to fathom what kind of mentality finds it necessary to deface our beautiful coast, but there are those for whom the natural beauty of this place is not sacred.This type of person, and thankfully there are few, must create what can only be considered an abomination – an affront to Our Mother and her spectacular beauty.

Wally Barnick of Coast Ridge Outfitters, Big Sur (next to Fernwood) sent me this photo yesterday.

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So, I contacted the new supervisor of Willow Springs, Greg DeAlba, (look for a profile of our new supervisor in the next few days), and asked him about Cal Trans plans for dealing with this vandalism on their retaining wall. He informed me there was currently a discussion going on about painting or staining this wall so that it blended in with it’s surroundings. He said he would keep me informed about the outcome of this discussion, and I will be following up to make sure this shameful affront to our coast is eradicated as soon as possible.

Today, I got to witness this for myself. I am befuddled by the idea that anyone could be so insensitive to the remarkable beauty of this place to do something like this. What will it take for all our visitors to be respectful of this place we call home and which we share with MILLIONS of visitors every year? What will it take?

Viaduct Meeting tomorrow

Hello Big Sur Folks,

Please join me at the Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Facility conference room at 10:00 AM Thursday August 30 to review traffic management issues during construction and discuss any questions, concerns, or recommendations you might have. Joining me to help answer your questions will be Tyler Lavering, the Resident Engineer assigned to the project, and Colin Jones, the District 5 Public Information Officer. I hope we can be of service to you.

Sincerely,

Ken Dostalek
Caltrans District 5 (San Luis Obispo)
Project Management Division

Email: ken_dostalek@dot.ca.gov
Office Phone: (805) 549-3133

Meeting Agenda
Welcome and Introductions
Provide Up-to-date Construction Schedule
Review Traffic Management Plan and Lane Closure Charts
Discuss Impacts to:
Emergency Services
Businesses
School Buses
Travellers
Community
Discuss possible ways to minimize impacts
Follow up meeting with the BSMAAC in October

Rocky Creek Viaduct Emergency Services meeting.

This from the Cal-Trans Engineer. I sent him contact info for Maia Carroll, Monterey County Communications, Martha Karstens, and Frank Pinney. Also, as Martha points out, CHP and MCSO should be in the loop. I will post all information about this project, including the final date and time of next week’s meeting, as soon as my Internet allows.

Hello Big Sur Locals,

I’d like to give you the opportunity to meet with the Caltrans Resident
Engineer to go over any questions or concerns you might have before
construction gets underway. We just had the “pre-construction” meeting
with the Contractor yesterday so now is a good time for this meeting. I
was thinking Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday of next week (August 28, 29,
or 30) at the Monterey Resident Engineers Office at 1529 Highway 68,
Monterey, CA 93940. Please let me know if you’d like to attend and which
day is best for you.

I was wondering if anyone knows who, emergency services wise, should be
invited to this meeting in case I’ve missed anybody. Emergency services
impacts during construction will be one of the topics discussed. Thanks.

I, Kate, will be doing my best to attend, and will report on the meeting. I also need to schedule a meeting with the new Supervisor for the Willow Springs Maintenance Yard, the Big Sur Maintenance Yard, as well as the Foreman for the Rain Rocks/Pitkins Curve project. I will be really busy next week, if I can set all this up. I do have personal and work matters next week, also, so it may be the following week before I can follow through on it all.

Rocky Creek Viaduct

Today’s Date: Monday, August 13, 2012
District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones
Phone: (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGHWAY 1/ROCKY CREEK VIADUCT PROJECT TO BEGIN AFTER LABOR DAY

MONTEREY COUNTY – A project to construct a permanent viaduct about 15 miles
south of Carmel near the Rocky Creek Bridge along Highway 1 will begin
after Labor Day, Caltrans officials have announced.

This project came about after a roadway slipout caused severe damage to the
southbound lane and required Hwy. 1 to be closed from north of Big Sur and
south of Carmel at Rocky Creek from March 17 through April 16, 2011.

Roadwork is scheduled to begin after Labor Day and be completed by the end
of 2013. In addition, some planting of new vegetation will occur.

The contractor for this $11 million project is Golden State Bridge Inc. of
Martinez. (Ed. Note: This is the same company that has been doing both the bridge at Pitkin’s Curve and the rock shed at Rain Rocks.)

In order to minimize impact and as part of the project, some overnight
closures will take place but there will be plenty of advance notification
for motorists, residents and businesses.

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving
through highway work zones.

For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey County, motorists
can call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at (805) 549-3318 or visit the
District 5 website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm

Susana Z. Cruz
Public Information Officer /
Portavoz de Relaciones Públicas
(805) 549-3138
(805) 549-3326–Fax

On another note, Jack Ellwanger is leaving Big Sur, and is looking for someone to take over the WildBigSur emailings.

Lost Dog

One of the new family members at the Cal Trans Yard (Willow Springs) sent me a plea to help find their lost dog. They, and their dog are new to the area, so the dog may be confused. The dog answers to the name of Blazer and is a Yorkie mix. It has a collar with the owners name and number on it, and even though it is from Ventura, they have the same number. If you have any information please contact nescha42@yahoo.com or call the number on the collar if you have the dog. Thank you. This has been one of many public service announcements.

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Highway One closure in Santa Cruz

Heads up, everyone. Highway One, Southbound, will be completely closed between midnight and 5 am, Soquel to Morrissey TONIGHT, TUESDAY. Next week, the 13th and 14th, the Northbound lane will be closed during the same time frame.

Moto GP coming to Highway One near you

Today starts the grand prix at Laguna Seca, and the madness of motorcycles heading north on Highway One. Actually, it started yesterday, we noted. We went south Thursday, and noted the increase in motorcycles on the highway. Some of these riders seem to either have a death wish or a belief in their own immortality.

Be extra careful out there, as there will be crashes and craziness all weekend. Some of the fastest and best riders on a professional course will be at Laguna Seca, but some candidates for the Darwin Award will be on our highways.

Rain Rocks Rock Shed

I have a series of photos taken over the past two weeks that shows the project. I thought my readers would be interested to see what has been going on.

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This one was taken just before last week’s overnight closure. One can see the Rebar topping the shed in preparation for adding the roof.

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Monday, July 9, 2012, I had the “pleasure” of driving between the rock shed and the mountain. That was an experience! This photo and the next two will give you a feel for that. I had to take these photos AS I WAS DRIVING with my iPhone, so excuse the quality. You get the idea.

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Then, yesterday, Monday, July 16, 2012, I got to drive under the new shed. These photos depict that experience. Again, I was multi-tasking – taking photos while driving. This time with my Nikon.

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And there you have it! You have now “driven” thru what is sure to become a world-famous rock shed via the miracle of cyberspace! Quite a feat. It is scheduled to be completed by Spring of 2013.

Cliff rescue

Around noon this afternoon, a cliff rescue was underway near the Coast Gallery. Apparently, a tourist had fallen down the cliff while taking photographs. Around 12:30, rescuers were speaking with the individual, but hadn’t gotten that person up the side of the cliff. I have no information about the nature of any injuries.

Please be aware when visiting our coast, that climbing on our rocks on the side of the road is ill-advised. Mountain Goats and Condors excepted. It is usually a v-e-r-y long way down.

Thanks Allan Groves for the eyewitness account.

Highway One roadwork

(See attached file: Hwy.1 Striping 6.12.12.doc)

Today’s Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2012
District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito
and Santa
Cruz Counties
Contact: Susana Z Cruz (bilingual) or Colin Jones
Phone: (805) 549-3138 or 549-3189
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGHWAY 1 STRIPING/MARKING FROM SAN LUIS OBISPO/MONTEREY COUNTY LINE TO
SOUTH OF BIG SUR IS UNDERWAY

MONTEREY COUNTY – A project to restripe a 42-mile section of the centerline
and edge lines as well as place new pavement markers from the SLO/Mon.
County line to just south of Big Sur near Coast Gallery is underway,
Caltrans officials have announced.

Work hours are from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday and until 12 pm on
Friday. One-way traffic control by flagging and pilot car will be
implemented at all times during this roadwork. Up to 15-minute delays are
anticipated. Electronic message signs will be used to alert motorists of
the work/delay ahead. Work is expected to be completed by June 22.

The project will improve safety by increasing roadway delineation and
visibility. The contractor for this $332,000 project is Central Striping
Service of Rancho Cordova.

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving
through
Caltrans work zones.

For traffic updates on other state highways in Monterey County, motorists
can call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at (805) 549-3318 or visit the
District 5 website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm

Susana Z. Cruz
Public Information Officer /
Portavoz de Relaciones Públicas
(805) 549-3138
(805) 549-3326–Fax