Caltrans is lowering speed limits along dozens of miles of state Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast after conducting an engineering and traffic survey recently, officials with the state agency said.
The changes are taking place for 44.5 miles of the coastal highway north of the line between San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties and enforcement of the lower speeds will begin after all speed limit signs are changed in the next 30 days, according to Caltrans.
The speed limit for a 14-mile segment of Highway 1 between Post Mile 0.0 and Post Mile 14 (just north of the Sand Dollar Beach picnic area) is lowering from 55 mph to 45 mph, while the limit for a 22.5-mile segment between Post Mile 14 and Post Mile 36.6 (just north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park) is decreasing from 55 mph to 50 mph.
The biggest decrease, from a 55 mph speed limit to 40 mph, is taking place on the northernmost segment between Post Mile 36.5 and Post Mile 44.5 (just south of Coast Ridge Road).
Caltrans officials said Thursday the recent traffic analysis found multiple reasons to lower the speed limits, including narrow highway shoulders, a high density of bicyclists and frequent pedestrians in the area. The California Highway Patrol also supports the changes.
“Slower speeds will afford motorists greater reaction time in navigating the roadway, reducing the likelihood of collisions, and enhancing overall road safety,” CHP Monterey-area Capt. Ian Troxell said in a statement. “It is imperative that we take proactive steps to address the unique challenges posed by the infrastructure and traffic dynamics of this corridor.”