By Neil Farrell ~
As overnight closures end on one major Hwy 1 construction project (with daytime work continuing), Caltrans is starting on another, emergency repair job to try and prevent the sea from claiming the roadway.
An emergency project to repair storm-damaged sections of Hwy 1 north of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse got underway last Thursday, Caltrans said in a news release. Six sections of the roadway in that area have sustained severe erosion from recent storms forcing the $500,000 repair job by Papich Construction of Pismo Beach.
Motorists will encounter one way, reversing traffic controls Mondays-Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect 10-15-minute delays, Caltrans said. Electronic message boards will be activated on either side of the work zone to warn of the delays.
The job is expected to be completed by the end of the year, weather permitting. The repairs are along the same section of roadway that Caltrans wants to move inland a mile or so to escape the eroding shoreline.
In other Hwy 1 construction news, Caltrans said Nov. 3 that overnight road closures for its Elephant Trunk Project are now over but daytime work continues with traffic delays Mondays-Fridays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A temporary traffic signal has been installed on either end of the site, which hugs the SLO-Monterey county line north of Ragged Point. The contractor for this $9.5 million project is John Madonna Construction of San Luis Obispo. This project is expected to be completed in winter 2016-17.
And the Cow Cliffs Viaduct Project south of Big Creek near Lucia is continuing with potential, 10-minute delays to ensure the safe delivery of materials, Caltrans said. A temporary stoplight has also been installed at this project. Overnight closures are expected to start in December now that the Elephant Trunk retaining wall’s closures have ended.
The project consists of constructing a permanent viaduct (arched bridge), about 5 miles north of Lucia and 18-miles south of Big Sur. Daily roadwork schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions and other factors.
The contractor for this $3.9 million project is RGW Construction, Inc., of Livermore, Calif. Completion is scheduled for fall of 2016, weather permitting. Caltrans stressed that all the businesses along Hwy 1 will remain open.
Call Caltrans Dist. 5 Public Affairs at (805) 549-3318 or see the website at: www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm. Motorists can also call a toll-free hotline from Cambria to Carmel at: (888) 836-0866.
