Public commented is being accepted on a proposed project to help alleviate traffic congestion on Highway 101 through the Pismo Beach area.
The US 101 Pismo Congestion Relief Project would bring an extra lane to the southbound side of the highway from north of Avila Beach Drive to just south of Hinds Avenue.
The “part-time travel lane” would only be open when traffic is heavy in the afternoon or during special events, according to Caltrans.
The project, however, would not extend the southbound truck climbing lane to the Spyglass exit as Caltrans says this could lead to unsafe merging among drivers.
The three proposals for the merging of the truck climbing lane include:
- Leaving it as is
- Extending it past the Spyglass exit before merging
- Converting the truck climbing lane into the rightmost travel lane, eliminating the merge
Caltrans is working with the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments on the overall proposal, which would also include a new park-and-ride lot in Pismo Beach.
If approved, work could begin in 2024.
Caltrans says the project costs have risen and now range from $63 million to $64 million.
A virtual meeting is set for Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Public comments can be emailed to Lara Bertaina at lara.bertaina@dot.ca.gov or mailed by Nov. 17 to:
Lara Bertaina, Caltrans District 5
50 Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
