Highway 1 Climbing Lane Project finishes first phase

The $7.5 million Highway 1 Climbing Lane Project in Carmel is supposed to ease congestion, especially for folks heading north out of Big Sur.

“It often backs up towards the Highlands and adding an additional climbing lane between Rio Road and Carmel Valley Road helps move that traffic along a little faster,” said Grant Leonard, associate transportation planner for the Transportation Agency for Monterey County.

Now, more than halfway through the five-month long project, a major milestone – Phase 1 is done. The new northbound lanes are completed, as well as the modifications to Rio Road.

Drivers will start to see the changes on Monday.

The K-rails from Rio Road will be removed, K-rails on Highway 1 will be adjusted to that the traffic flow moves to the northbound side. Drivers turning right to get to the Crossroads or Barnyard will have easier access as well. Caltrans will be on hand to monitor the newly placed signal and make any timing adjustments.

The changes couldn’t come soon enough for one pedestrian we met trying to cross Highway 1.

“It was scary because I was watching for the synchronization of the lights and the green hand to come up and it never came up,” Victoria said. “The only way to get across is to go whether its red light, red hand, it doesn’t matter.”

The work isn’t over yet, the second part of the project also starts Monday.

“Phase 2 is when we move traffic onto that new road and we re-construct southbound 1 between Carmel Valley Road and Rio Road,” Leonard said.

Construction should wrap up in early September. Crews will not work during Car Week, scheduled for August 17-23.