MONTEREY – Caltrans will reduce the posted speed limits along a 44.5-mile segment of Highway 1 on the Big Sur Coast, the agency announced Thursday.
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.
Speed limits will be lowered on three segments of Highway 1 north of the county line at San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties. For the 14-mile segment of Highway 1 between post mile 0.0 and post mile 14 – from the 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 decision to reduce speed limits was based on the 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, according to Caltrans. 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.
Caltrans said 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 its full support for the recommendations by Caltrans to lower the speed limits on these segments of Highway 1.
“Slower speeds will afford motorists greater reaction time in navigating the roadway, reducing the likelihood of collisions, and enhancing overall road safety,” said Ian Troxell, Monterey Area CHP Captain, in a press release. “It is imperative that we take proactive steps to address the unique challenges posed by the infrastructure and traffic dynamics of this corridor.”
Caltrans uses a number of resources when making speed limit determinations on state highways. These include the California Vehicle Code, the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which is based on the California Vehicle Code, 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, Caltrans said in the release. 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.
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.