ROAD AND LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED FOR MAY 26 – JUNE 3

Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for the areas between Salinas and North Monterey County between Thursday, May 26 and Friday, June 3:

Union Pacific Railroad Track Work in Salinas: May 23 - 2

• Union Pacific Railroad will close the crossing at John St. in Salinas (between Spring St and Work St) to do some safety upgrades. This will be a full closure – Caltrans will provide signs to guide travelers through the suggested detour route.  With the Salinas Valleys' agricultural production in full swing, and that truck traffic is heavy in these areas, travelers are advised to please anticipate periods of congestion during these times. 

Union Pacific Railroad Track Work in Aromas: May 31 – June 1

• Beginning Tuesday, May 31, at 8:00 a.m., Union Pacific Railroad (UP) will close San Juan Road just north of Aromas Road to repair the railroad crossing at that location.  According to UP, the repairs are needed as the crossing has been damaged by truck and rail traffic and the road must be closed to complete the work.  Railroad repairs will last until Wednesday, June 1, at 4:00 PM, weather permitting.

During this closure period, all traffic wishing to travel on San Juan Road will have to find alternate routes either via San Miguel Canyon Road or Highway 129.  Truck drivers and commuters should be prepared for delays and congestion on nearby Highway 101 not only because of increased traffic from the detour, but because of on-going Prunedale Improvement Project road construction.  Drivers should be alert and watch for detour signage.

An information Hot line with latest roadwork information has been created and can be accessed by calling (831) 755-5060.  Additional information can be obtained by accessing Department of Public Works’ web site at http://www.in.co.monterey.ca.us/publicworks/status.htm

Airport Blvd. Interchange Project: May 23 – May 26, and May 31 – June 

• Bridge work for the Highway 101/Airport Blvd. Interchange Project will be result in a full closure of Hwy. 101 in both directions at Airport Blvd from 9 pm to 6 am for three nights from May 23 – May 26; these closures may also occur on May 31 and June 1.

o    Motorists headed northbound will be detoured at Abbott Street to Sanborn Road before reaching Hwy. 101.

o    Motorists headed southbound will be detoured at Sanborn Road to Abbott Street before reaching Hwy. 101. 

Prunedale Improvement Project: May 23 – June 3

• PG&E will close one lane of Blackie Rd., from Hwy 101 to Prunedale South Rd., to relocate a gas main. This work will take place between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm, May 23 – June 3.

•  PG&E will also be relocating a gas main on Echo Valley Rd.; this work will result in a temporary lane closure on Echo Valley Rd. May 23 – 27

• PG&E work on Reese Circle, which will take place May 31 – June 9, will not result in any closures, but the lane will be limited to 10’.

•  Caltrans will close the following, between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 6 a.m., May 29 – June 3:

o    One Northbound lane, between Russell/Espinosa and Ralph Ln. 

o    One Southbound lane between Ralph Ln. and Russell/Espinosa 

o    One Northbound lane between San Miguel Canyon Rd and Tustin Rd. 

o    One Southbound lane between San Miguel Canyon Rd and Tustin Rd 

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon off-ramp  

           

            These closures are to allow crews to safely move concrete barriers and do pile driving.

• California Water Services Company continues its work relocating a water main on Russell Rd. – this  this will result in temporary lane closures on Harrison Rd, Russell-Espinosa, Gianini Rd, and Easy St from May 19 – May 31.
• Detour signs will be in place along Highway 101, Russell Rd., North Main St., and Harrison Rd. There will be flaggers to assist with traffic flow.   

Updates and information about construction for the Prunedale Improvement Project can be found on the Prunedale Improvement Project blog http://pipinfo.blogspot.com/ and on the PIP Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prunedale-Improvement-Project/128188623918111.

Please drive safely and exercise caution in the construction zones.

(I will be out of the office May 26 - May 31.)

See the PIP in a whole new way!

If you've got Google Earth (which you can download for free here), you can now take an up-close-and-personal look at the Prunedale Improvement Project from the Transportation Agency for Monterey County's website. 

The Google Earth maps on the website show each of the four construction areas of the PIP, with the plans on the top. These provide an excellent view of the size and scope of this vital highway safety project.

I hope you'll find these maps useful (and fun!) as I do.

Please email me if you have any questions.

Sharon

PIP in the news

Monterey County Herald article on local major highway projects
http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_18115775?IADID=Search-www.montereyherald.com-www.montereyherald.com&nclick_check=1

Busy week ahead vis-a-vis roadwork...and it's not just the PIP!

Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for the areas between Salinas and North Monterey County between Saturday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 31:

Union Pacific Railroad Track Work in Castroville: May 21 - 23

• The Union Pacific Railroad will close the crossing at Blackie Rd in Castroville between Saturday, May 21 through Monday, May 23. Alternative routes have been designated for commercial trucks, business deliveries and commuters.  
• An information Hotline with latest roadwork information has been created and can be accessed by calling (831) 755-5060.
• Additional information can be obtained by accessing Department of Public Works’ web site at

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/publicworks/status.htm .

Union Pacific Railroad Track Work in Salinas: May 23 - 27

·         Union Pacific Railroad will close the crossing at John St. in Salinas (between Spring St and Work St) to do some safety upgrades. This will be a full closure – Caltrans will provide signs to guide travelers through the suggested detour route.  With the Salinas Valleys' agricultural production in full swing, and that truck traffic is heavy in these areas, travelers are advised to please anticipate periods of congestion during these times. 

Airport Blvd. Interchange Project: May 23 – May 26

·         Bridge work for the Highway 101/Airport Blvd. Interchange Project will be result in a full closure of Hwy. 101 in both directions at Airport Blvd from 9 pm to 6 am for three nights from May 23 – May 26.

o    Motorists headed northbound will be detoured at Abbott Street to Sanborn Road before reaching Hwy. 101.

o    Motorists headed southbound will be detoured at Sanborn Road to Abbott Street before reaching Hwy. 101. 

Prunedale Improvement Project: May 23 – 31

·         PG&E will close one lane of Blackie Rd., from Hwy 101 to Prunedale South Rd., to relocate a gas main. This work will start immediately after the Union Pacific track crossing in Castroville is reopened and go to 7 pm on May 23; it will take place between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm, May 24 - 27.

·         PG&E will also be relocating a gas main on Echo Valley Rd.; this work will result in a temporary lane closure on Echo Valley Rd. May 23 – 25.

·         Caltrans will close the following, between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 6 a.m., May 23 – May 26:

o    One Northbound lane, between Russell/Espinosa and Ralph Ln. 

o    One Southbound lane between Ralph Ln. and Russell/Espinosa 

o    One Northbound lane between San Miguel Canyon Rd and Tustin Rd. 

o    One Southbound lane between San Miguel Canyon Rd and Tustin Rd 

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon on-ramp

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon off-ramp  

o    The Southbound San Miguel Canyon off-ramp  

           

            These closures are to allow crews to safely move concrete barriers and do pile driving.

• Because of rain delays Russell Rd. will remain closed to all vehicles at Highway 101 between the hours of 9 am and 3:30 pm. from May 23 – May 27. California Water Services Company is putting in a new water main across Russell Rd.
• During this closure those traveling north on Highway 101 will be able to access North Main St. by using the Boronda Rd. exit; access to Harrison Rd. will be available by turning right at Martines Rd.
• Southbound traffic on Highway 101 will also use the Boronda Rd. exit to get to North Main St.

• Detour signs will be in place along Highway 101, Russell Rd., North Main St., and Harrison Rd.

• This work will also result in lane closures on Harrison Rd and North Main from May 23 – May 31. There will be flaggers to assist with traffic flow.   

Updates and information about construction for the Prunedale Improvement Project can be found on the Prunedale Improvement Project blog http://pipinfo.blogspot.com/ and on the PIP Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prunedale-Improvement-Project/128188623918111.

Please drive safely and exercise caution in the construction zones.

PIP road closures scheduled for May 14 - 21

Here are the road closures associated with the Prunedale Improvement Project between Saturday, May 14 and Saturday, May 21:

·         May 14

PG&E will close both lanes on Blackie Rd., from Hwy 101 to Prunedale South Rd., from 7 am to 4 pm.  This closure is to allow stringing of overhead wire along Hwy 101. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through the area.

• May 16 – 20

Russell Rd will be closed to all vehicles at Highway 101 between the hours of 9 am and 3:30 pm. This closure, which will allow California Water Services Company to put in a new water main across Russell Rd., is scheduled to last through the week, ending on May 20.

During this closure those traveling north on Highway 101 will be able to access North Main St. by using the Boronda Rd. exit; access to Harrison Rd. will be available by turning right at Martines Rd.

Southbound traffic on Highway 101 will also use the Boronda Rd. exit to get to North Main St.

Detour signs will be in place along Highway 101, Russell, North Main St. and Harrison Rd. There will also be flaggers to assist with traffic flow.   

• May 16 – 27

PG&E will close one lane of Blackie Rd., from Hwy 101 to Prunedale South Rd., to relocate a gas main. This work will have the one lane closed between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm. 

PIP lane closures for May 9 - May 13

Crews will continue to move the concrete barriers in the median near the San Miguel Canyon Road  overcrossing this week. This work, which is being done at night to minimize impact on the public, will create a safe place for the crews who will be widening the San Miguel Canyon Rd. overcrossing.

The work will close one Northbound lane and one Southbound lane between San Miguel Canyon Rd. and Tustin Rd. from 7:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. from May 9 - May 13.

If you have any questions, please email me.

Thank you; please remember to drive safely – especially through these construction zones.

Sharon

Driving toward safety: Obeying speed limits and traffic laws through construction zones saves lives and money

Spring has arrived in Monterey County – bringing with it warmer temperatures, tourists and increased traffic on the roadways.  It also brings the beginning of construction on the Prunedale Improvement Project (PIP) along a 10-mile stretch of Highway 101 between Boronda Road in Salinas to just beyond Crazy Horse Canyon Road in Prunedale, which will continue for the next three years. 

The PIP construction area, and all Caltrans construction zones, is clearly marked with signs – some indicating reduced speed limits, others warning that "Fines Double in Construction Zones.” The reason for these changes and seemingly harsh fines is safety – for those working along the highways and, particularly, for drivers and vehicle occupants.

“Too often drivers don’t heed the warning signs when they’re going through construction zones,” says Don Bachman, Deputy Executive Director for the Transportation Agency for Monterey County. “One of the most important factors for traffic safety, especially in construction zones, is driver attentiveness. We want to raise awareness about the importance of exercising caution in work zones in hopes that all those on our roadways will be able to return home to their families safe and sound at the end of each day."

In 2009 there were 46 fatalities in highway construction and/or maintenance zones in California; 45 of those fatalities were vehicle occupants.

"We know that people on the road and have a lot on their minds, but focusing on driving safely has to be the priority,” says Bachman. “Drivers need to watch those signs and most importantly, slow down. Even if you don’t see people working along the highway, there are a lot of other construction hazards to be aware of – like reduced shoulders, merging traffic, or uneven pavement.”

The bottom line: Slowing for the Cone Zone makes our highways safer for everyone.

Safety Tips for Driving in Construction Zones

·         Expect the Unexpected: Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be restricted, and people may be working on or near the road.

·         Slow Down: Speeding is one of the major causes of work zone accidents.

·         Keep a Safe Distance: The most common type of accident in a work zone is a rear end collision. Maintain two car lengths between you and the car in front of you as well as road crews and their equipment.

·         Pay Attention: The warning signs are there to help you move safely through the work zone. Observe the posted signs.

·         Obey Road Crew Flaggers: The flagger knows what is best for moving traffic safely in the work zone. A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign. You can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.

·         Stay Alert and Minimize Distractions: Dedicate your full attention to the roadway and avoid changing radio stations or using cell phone while driving in a work zone.

·         Keep up with Traffic Flow: Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by merging as soon as possible. Do not drive right up to the lane closure and then try to barge in.

·         Check Road Conditions: Schedule enough time to drive safely. For lane closure information and for traffic updates on Caltrans projects in Monterey County, residents can call the District 5 toll free number at 1-831-372-0862, Caltrans’ hotline at 1-877-448-6771, or visit Caltrans’ website: www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/maint/road/upmon.htm

·         Be Patient and Stay Calm: Remember, the road crews are working to improve the road and your commute.

###