Caltrans installs ‘No U-Turn’ signs on Highway 101 south of Salinas

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County announced that Caltrans is installing “No U-Turn” signs on Highway 101 south of Salinas between Gould Road and Chualar last week.

They will be posted at all minor road at-grade intersections southbound and northbound. The signs prohibit trucks and commercial vehicles from making U-turns and/or left turns off a minor road onto Highway 101. Caltrans says prohibited vehicles will need to use Airport Boulevard and Chualar exits to turn around.

“It gets challenging because you can’t really pick up speed too much and you have people breaking behind you,” truck driver Ricardo Gonzalez said.

The signs were recommended by the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans and the S.O.S. US 101 Traffic Safety Alliance because of safety concerns stemming from an increase in traffic and crashes with vehicles making left turns or U-turns on the highway.

According to truck drivers, the U-turn is a pretty common maneuver.

“I miss my turnoff, or sometimes you get a load and the load is back there and you have to turn around,” Ed Adran said.

Crews began installing the signs in mid May, and Caltrans expects to be done in the next three to four weeks. There will be a town hall meeting for members of the community to share ideas on June 6 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Andrus Ranch.