Speed limits to be lowered on Highway 1 along Big Sur Coast

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV)- If you are planning a coastal road trip for Spring Break then you might need to plan ahead to avoid a speeding ticket.

Caltrans announced that they will be lowering speed limits along parts of Highway 1 in Monterey County after conducting a traffic study along the Big Sur Coast.

The changes would apply to 44 miles of the highway between San Luis Obispo/Monterey County line to south of Coast Ridge Road.

Speed limits in those areas are being lowered by 5 to 15 miles per hour.

• 14-mile segment of Highway 1 between county line to just north of the Sand Dollar Beach Picnic Area, the speed limit will be decreasing to 45 mph.
•    For the 22.5-mile segment of Highway 1 from just north of Sand Dollar Beach Picnic Area to just north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, speed limit will decrease to 50 mph.
•    For the 8-mile segment of Highway 1 from north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to just south of Coast Ridge Road, the speed limit will decrease to 40 mph.

Caltrans said that concerns over limited shoulder width plus pedestrian/bicyclist safety were the main reasons for the decision.

Speed limit signs are being updated and enforcement is expected to start within the next 30 days.