Traffic concerns during Sea Otter Classic

The 25th annual Sea Otter Classic kicks off on Thursday at Laguna Seca. Some 10,000 people will be there for the bicycling races. Headaches on Highway 68 will worsen because of this extra traffic on the construction-riddled roadway.

“One of the biggest cycling festivals in the world and traffic is always an issue,” Keith Defiebre, organizer of the Sea Otter Classic said.

Because this is the 25th year of the races, traffic could be more of an issue in all those construction zones on Highway 68 between Monterey and Salinas. That’s why event organizers are urging drivers to go through Del Rey Oaks instead.

“We access the venue,” Defiebre explains, “Laguna Seca venue using South Boundary Road, so Highway 218 through Del Rey Oaks to South Boundary Road so we technically don’t use Highway 68.”

Unfortunately, construction on the PG&E gas line replacement project will continue during the event.

“At night we are going to have some construction,” Grant Leonard with TAMC said, “So you can expect some lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.”

The construction will actually benefit bicyclists.

“So cyclists actually have a little bit of protection cause they could ride behind the concrete barriers along 68 that they just place,” Defiebre said.

So it won’t just be construction crews out and about. CHP officers will also be patrolling Highway 68. But event organizers would rather see all of the action happen off the road and on the race course.

“There’s so much to do with families, kids, top class athletes in the world,” Defiebre said. “So the competition, the races, the dual slalom is always a favorite. Basically it’s a great time for all.”

And of course whenever big events come to town, you’ll want to give yourself an additional 15 minutes to half-an-hour to get where you need to go.