Trifecta of traffic troubles on Highway 1 through Carmel and beyond
Drivers in the Carmel and Big Sur areas saw a trifecta of trouble on Monday.
According to Monterey County Supervisor Mary Adams, it was a series of unfortunate events with two road work projects, a car crash, shoulder cleanup and extra summer traffic. Some drivers posted on social media that it took hours to get from Big Sur to the Monterey Peninsula.
Monterey County has been working on a climbing lane on Highway 1 and Rio Road. That causes backups of its own, with drivers losing their tempers just trying to get through the area.
“Total chaos,” Paul O’Donovan said. “People are losing their minds, holding up in traffic. Patience level are zero. Earlier the road rage, people hollering at each other, it’s going to get violent one day.”
Caltrans was doing maintenance work at Monastery Beach but according to Adams, they are holding off for now. Crews have since moved on towards Otter Cove, Garrapata and Granite Creek Bridge to fix potholes and repave the roadway.
“We’re trying to do this in June so it doesn’t get more into the summer,” Susana Cruz, Caltrans spokesperson said. “And the filming is kind of sporadic, the climbing lane project is a longer project that’s not going to be three days long like ours is, we’re trying to get ours done and out of the way.”
Monastery Beach is going to be busy on Thursday, as filming for Big Little Lies is supposed to film at the beach. Caltrans said it’s not supposed to impact traffic.
Monterey County said there’s another filming location scheduled this week.
But for longtime resident Paul O’Donovan, the timing is terrible.
“I think that was the craziest thing, them putting all their equipment here,” O’Donovan said. “With everything going on, why they let a film being shot in this chaos is why a lot of people aren’t thinking much of this county project.”
Caltrans work is supposed to wrap up on Thursday. Monterey County does offer residents a way to keep track of the climbing lane construction project. People can sign up for alerts by texting “Climblinglane” to 888-777.
