ROAD AND LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED FOR AUG 1 - AUG 7

Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for the areas between Salinas and North Monterey County from Monday, August 1, through Sunday, August 7:

Davis Road: August 3 – August 4

• There will be rolling lane closures along Davis Rd. (between Blanco Rd and Rossi Rd) on Wednesday, August 3 from 8 pm until 8 am. Monterey County Public Works will be striping the road.

Highway 68: August 1 – August 5

·         Caltrans is placing hot mix asphalt on the existing roadbed in two separate locations on Highway 68 in Monterey – from west of SPCA Road to west of San Benancio Road; and from east of San Benancio Road to west of Reservation Road. This work will result in nighttime single lane closures and one-way traffic control on Hwy 68 from 7 pm to 5 am, Monday through Friday.

·         Monterey County Public Works continues its work along Hwy 68 and San Benancio. This work is being done during the day; drivers should be alert. Most work will be done behind the concrete barriers that are set up, but minor delays are possible.

·         While road work on Hwy 68 is going on drivers heading toward Salinas from the Monterey Peninsula may want to consider taking Hwy 1 to Imjin Rd to Reservation Rd as an alternate route to avoid construction-related delays.

Salinas Rd Project: August 1 - August 5

·         Construction work on Hwy 1 and Salinas Rd. will resume on August 2. Crews will be working on Hilltop Drive and installing bus stops along a planned detour route. No date is set yet for when the detour will start.

Prunedale Improvement Project: August 1 - August 5

·         Caltrans will close the Northbound HWY 101 on and off ramps at Russell/Espinoza from August 4 until late September/early October, 2011.

·         Crews will be:

o    Widening and reconstructing North Main St. from Russell Rd to 1000 feet south of the Russell Rd/Main St. intersection;

o    Working on storm drainage systems and a traffic signal; and

o    Making improvements along Russell Rd. and Harrison Rd.

·         Work hours for this project will be from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

·         Flaggers will be in the area to direct traffic.

·         Cross Rd. in Prunedale is closed to through traffic for approximately six months; the road is open to residents and emergency responders.

·         Caltrans is removing the pavement, installing several new box culverts, and making improvements along Cross Rd. and Reese Circle.

·         Throughout this construction Cross Rd will be open for residents, but will be closed to through traffic.

o    Residents on the west side of the Pollack Rd. extension will access Cross Rd from Reese Circle.

o    Residents on the east side of the Pollack Rd. extension will access Cross Rd. by way of Pesante Rd.

·         Detour signs will be posted throughout the area.

·         During this period Granite Construction crews will be working from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

·         On Hwy 101 Caltrans also will close the following, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., August 1 – August 5:

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

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

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon off-ramp

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon on-ramp

o    The Southbound San Miguel Canyon off ramp

·         Granite Construction will continue hauling materials in and out of Reese Circle during the work week. This will not result in any lane closures, but there will be flaggers in the area directing traffic, and there may be brief delays.

Please drive safely and exercise caution in the construction zones.

ROAD AND LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED FOR JULY 18 - 24

Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for the areas between Salinas and North Monterey County from Monday, July 18, through Sunday, July 24:

Davis Road: July 18 – July 22

·         Monterey County Public Works will continue working on Davis Road, from Hwy 183 to Blanco Rd., between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., July 18 – 22.

o    This work will have southbound Davis Rd., between Hwy 183 and Blanco Rd., closed.

o    Northbound Davis Rd. will have one lane open.

·         This project is expected to last two more weeks and drivers should expect significant delays. Detour signs will direct traffic through the area.

Highway 68: July 18 – July 22

·         Caltrans is placing hot mix asphalt on the existing roadbed in two separate locations on Highway 68 in Monterey – from west of SPCA Road to west of San Benancio Road; and from east of San Benancio Road to west of Reservation Road. This work will result in nighttime single lane closures and one-way traffic control  on Hwy 68 from 8 pm to 5 am, Monday through Friday.

·         Monterey County Public Works will continue working along Hwy 68 and San Benancio. They will be excavating pavement behind the k-rail. This work will be done during the day; drivers should be alert and minor delays are possible.

·         While road work on Hwy 68 is going on drivers heading toward Salinas from the Monterey Peninsula may want to consider taking Hwy 1 to Imjin Rd to Reservation Rd as an alternate route to avoid construction-related delays.

Prunedale Improvement Project: July 18 – July 24

·         Caltrans will close part of Cross Rd. in Prunedale beginning July 18. This closing will be where the new Pollack Rd. extension will join Cross Rd.

·         Cross Rd will be open for residents, but will be closed to through traffic.

o    Residents on the west side of the Pollack Rd. extension will access Cross Rd from Reese Circle.

o    Residents on the east side of the Pollack Rd. extension will access Cross Rd. by way of Pesante Rd.

·         Detour signs will be posted throughout the area.

·         Crews will be removing the pavement, installing the new box culverts, and making improvements along Cross Rd. and Reese Circle.

·         Cross Rd. will be closed to through traffic for approximately 6 months starting with the detour for this box culvert, and progressing to the construction of Cross Rd. and a box culvert near Reese Circle. 

• During this period Granite Construction crews will be working from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

• PG&E is conducting gas relocation on Reese Circle at the intersection of Cross Road resulting in a lane closure on Reese Circle beginning July 14 thru July 22.  Traffic Control is in place including flagging operations. 

• PG&E will also be working on Echo Valley Road on July 19 & July 20. They will be installing overhead power lines; there will be lane closures and flagging operations. 

·         On Hwy 101 Caltrans also will close the following, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., July 18 – July 21:

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

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

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon off-ramp

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon on-ramp

o    The Southbound San Miguel Canyon off ramp

·         Caltrans’ planned closure of the Northbound HWY 101 on and off ramps at Russell/Espinoza has been delayed due to utility work. TAMC will provide an update when the work is rescheduled.

·         Granite Construction will continue hauling materials in and out of Reese Circle during the work week. This will not result in any lane closures, but there will be flaggers in the area directing traffic, and there may be brief delays.

****SPECIAL EVENTS WILL AFFECT TRAFFIC THIS WEEKEND****

Please keep in mind that two special events this weekend will result in increased traffic throughout Monterey County July 21-24:

·         The California Rodeo (http://www.carodeo.com/) and

·         The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix (http://www.mazdaraceway.com/red-bull-us-grand-prix).

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.

We all need to Move Over to increase safety

Starting July 11, 700 Caltrans electronic highway signs throughout California will light up with a new Move Over message to kickoff a statewide campaign to increase safety for motorists, highway workers and law enforcement. The message, “Slow or Move Over for Workers, It’s the Law,” will stay posted through July 22. Caltrans will also begin a new billboard campaign and issue a public service announcement to television stations statewide reinforcing the Move Over message.

In May and June, three Caltrans highway workers died on the job within 48 days - the most in such a short period of time. Since 1924, 178 Caltrans workers have lost their lives in the line of duty. 

“Our goal is to do everything we can to keep our highways safe,” said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Motorists must slow down, watch out for highway workers, and safely move over a lane when they see flashing amber lights on Caltrans or other emergency vehicles.”

The joint safety effort by Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Office of Traffic Safety will educate the public on the importance of moving over a lane to protect highway workers and CHP officers.

The CHP will provide the Move Over safety message during their morning traffic updates on broadcast stations statewide, and officers will be on the lookout for motorists not following the law.

“This traffic safety campaign isn’t about writing citations, it’s about providing a safer work environment for everyone who does business along the side of a highway,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “The only way to prevent tragedies from occurring on the side of the road is by giving emergency personnel, highway workers and the public adequate space.”

The DMV will display the Move Over safety message on electronic signs in each of its 135 field offices, and highlight the law in its handbook and written driver’s test, where it will appear along with Slow for the Cone Zone information.

“Our collective goal is that motorists will become more attentive as they drive,” said DMV Director George Valverde. “With continued cooperative efforts such as the Move Over campaign, we can further improve highway safety."

The departments will update their web sites and social media pages, such as

Facebook^© and Twitter^©, to reinforce the Move Over message.

“When we see Caltrans, law enforcement, emergency medical services, tow trucks, and other emergency or construction vehicles next to the roadway, they are there for one purpose - our safety,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director for the California Office of Traffic Safety. “Let's keep them and ourselves safe by giving them plenty of room to operate.”

The Move Over law, enacted in 2007, was amended in 2009 to add Caltrans vehicles displaying flashing amber warning lights to the list of vehicles for which motorists must move over if safe to do so or slow down. To date, 45 other states have enacted similar laws requiring motorists to move over or slow down.

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ROAD AND LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED FOR JULY 11 - JULY 17

Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for the areas between Salinas and North Monterey County from Monday, July 11, through Sunday, July 17:

Davis Road: July 11 – July 15

·         Monterey County Public Works will continue working on Davis Road, from Hwy 183 to Blanco Rd., between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., July 11 – 15.

o    This work will have southbound Davis Rd., between Hwy 183 and Blanco Rd., closed.

o    Northbound Davis Rd. will have one lane open.

·         This project is expected to last two more weeks and drivers should expect significant delays. Detour signs will direct traffic through the area.

Highway 68: July 11 – July 15

·         Caltrans is placing hot mix asphalt on the existing roadbed in two separate locations on Highway 68 in Monterey – from west of SPCA Road to west of San Benancio Road; and from east of San Benancio Road to west of Reservation Road. This work will result in nighttime single lane closures and one-way traffic control from 8 pm to 5 am.

·         Monterey County Public Works will continue working along Hwy 68 and San Benancio. They will be excavating pavement behind the k-rail. This work will be done during the day; drivers should be alert and minor delays are possible.

·         While road work on Hwy 68 is going on drivers heading toward Salinas from the Monterey Peninsula may want to consider taking Hwy 1 to Imjin Rd to Reservation Rd as an alternate route to avoid construction-related delays.

Prunedale Improvement Project: July 11 - July 15

·         Caltrans will close the Northbound HWY 101 on and off ramps at Russell/Espinoza from July 11 until late August/early September, 2011.

·         Crews will be:

o    Widening and reconstructing North Main St. from Russell Rd to 1000 feet south of the Russell Rd/Main St. intersection;

o    Working on storm drainage systems and a traffic signal; and

o    Making improvements along Russell Rd. and Harrison Rd.

·         Work hours for this project will be from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

·         Flaggers will be in the area to direct traffic.

·         Granite Construction will continue hauling materials in and out of Reese Circle during the work week. This will not result in any lane closures, but there will be flaggers in the area directing traffic, and there may be brief delays.

·         On Hwy 101 Caltrans will close the following, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., July 11:

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

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

·         On Hwy 101 Caltrans also will close the following, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., July 11 – July 15:

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

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

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon off-ramp

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon on-ramp

o    The Southbound San Miguel Canyon off ramp

*UPCOMING PROJECT IN PRUNEDALE*

 Construction at Cross Rd. begins July 18

·         Caltrans will close part of Cross Rd. in Prunedale beginning July 18. This closing will be where the new Pollack Rd. extension will join Cross Rd.

·         Crews will be constructing a new box culvert to help with drainage in the area;

·         Cross Rd will be open for residents, but will be closed to through traffic.

o    Residents on the west side of the Pollack Rd. extension will access Cross Rd from Reese Circle.

o    Residents on the east side of the Pollack Rd. extension will access Cross Rd. by way of Pesante Rd.

·         Detour signs will be posted throughout the area.

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.

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Photos from the PIP

On Friday, July 1, 2011, I went on a tour on the Prunedale Improvement Project with Peter Mututwa, Caltrans' Resident Engineer for the project, and David Galarza, the Structural Engineer. Here are some photos to show you what's going on: 

Work on the new Pollock Rd. extension, near Pesante Rd. in Location 2. 

MCM Construction workers at the San Miguel Canyon over-crossing at Location 3. 

Another view of the work at the San Miguel Canyon over-crossing.

This is where the new Blackie/Reese over-crossing will be.

Peter Mututwa, Caltrans' Resident Engineer for the PIP, at Location 2.

Clearing for the new Blackie/Reese crossing.

Peter Mututwa, Caltrans' Resident Engineer for the PIP.

Another view of the future Blackie/Reese over-crossing.

Caltrans' David Galarza

Box culvert at the new Pollock Rd extension.

Clearing for the new Pollock Rd extension.

The Pollock Rd. extension will go from Pesante Rd. over to Cross Rd.

ROAD AND LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED FOR JULY 5 - JULY 10

Davis Road: July 5 – July 10

·         Monterey County Public Works will be putting new asphalt on Davis Road, between Hwy 183 and Blanco Rd, beginning July 5. This work will have southbound Davis Rd., between 183 and Blanco, closed. Northbound Davis Rd. will have one lane open. This work will be done during the day, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.; the project is expected to last three weeks and drivers should expect significant delays. Detour signs will direct traffic through the area.

Highway 68: July 5 – July 10

• Caltrans is placing hot mix asphalt on the existing roadbed in two separate locations on Highway 68 in Monterey – from west of SPCA Road to west of San Benancio Road; and from east of San Benancio Road to west of Reservation Road. This work will result in nighttime single lane closures and one-way traffic control from 8 pm to 5 am.

·         Monterey County Public Works will continue working along Hwy 68 and San Benancio. They will be excavating pavement behind the k-rail. This work will be done during the day; drivers should be alert and expect delays.

·         While road work on Hwy 68 is going on drivers heading toward Salinas from the Monterey Peninsula may want to consider taking Hwy 1 to Imjin Rd to Reservation Rd as an alternate route to avoid construction-related delays.

 Prunedale Improvement Project: July 5 - July 10

·         Granite Construction will continue hauling materials in and out of Reese Circle during the work week. This will not result in any lane closures, but there will be flaggers in the area directing traffic, and there may be brief delays.

·         On Hwy 101 Caltrans will close the following, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., July 5 – July 8:

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

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

·         On Hwy 101 Caltrans also will close the following, between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., July 5 – July 7

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

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

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon off-ramp

o    The Northbound San Miguel Canyon on-ramp

o    The Southbound San Miguel Canyon off ramp

Crews working in the Russell/Espinosa area will be placing K-rail and restriping Hwy 101 near White Rd. for future median crossover work.

Crews working in the San Miguel Canyon area will be driving piles and pouring concrete.

****UPCOMING PROJECT IN SALINAS****

         PIP Construction at Russell and Main 

         begins July 11

·         Caltrans will close the Northbound HWY 101 on and off ramps at Russell/Espinoza from July 11 until late August/early September, 2011.

·         Crews will be:

o    Widening and reconstructing North Main St. from Russell Rd to 1000 feet south of the Russell Rd/Main St. intersection;

o    Working on storm drainage systems and a traffic signal; and

o    Making improvements along Russell Rd. and Harrison Rd.

·         Work hours for this project will be from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

·         Flaggers will be in the area to direct traffic.

·         This work is part of the Prunedale Improvement Project.

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.

Caltrans has no scheduled closures from noon on Friday, July 1, through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, due to the July 4 holiday.

Please drive safely and exercise caution in the construction zones.

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