Highway 68 Scenic Corridor
Highway 68 Scenic Corridor
State Route 68 is a scenic corridor that connects the Monterey Bay Peninsula and the Salinas Valley. Often described as "Steinbeck County" it's historical connections include Cannery Row and the agricultural fields of the Salinas Valley, which feeds the world! Thousands of traveler traverse this route to go work, school, doctor appoints, or for some fun in the sun. The goal of the Scenic Highway 68 Corridor Improvement Project is to improve safety for motorists and wildlife, and traffic flow along 7.8 miles of State Route 68 between Monterey and Salinas without adding road capacity.
Project Description
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is proposing to improve traffic operations and reduce collisions with wildlife on an approximately nine-mile stretch of State Route 68 in Monterey County by modifying the design of nine intersections from Josselyn Canyon Road to San Benancio Road and by providing five new underground culverts for wildlife to use to cross under the highway. The proposed work would extend from highway post mile 4.8 to post mile 13.7 (west to east). Two build alternatives are being evaluated in the Project Approval and Environmental Document phase. Alternative 1 would convert nine intersections into roundabouts; eight would be converted into single-lane roundabouts, and one would be converted into a two-lane roundabout. Alternative 2 would include expanded signalized intersections with adaptive signal control technology and enhanced lane channelization to provide auxiliary through lanes and additional right and left turn lanes. Both alternatives would provide improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities and replacement lighting where necessary. Both alternatives would replace drainage facilities and utilities that would necessitate relocation due to the intersection modifications. Temporary construction easements would be required for access to nearby properties for construction activities where necessary.
Project Benefits:
- Reduces collision rates by eliminating vehicle conflict points most associated with injuries and fatal collisions
- Provides safe passages for wildlife between the Fort Ord Monument and the Los Padres National Forest to reduce vehicle collisions with animals
- Improves traffic flow and makes travel time more predictable for 25,700 weekday vehicle trips
- Decreases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by eliminating unnecessary stops at intersections
- Reduces congestion while supporting the region’s sustainability goals and maintaining consistency with the State’s Climate Action Plan
- Improves access to Monterey Regional Airport’s passenger terminal
- Reduces emergency response times
Project Timeline
- Public Scoping - October – November 2019
- Draft Environmental Document (DED) release – Fall 2023
- DED Public Hearing – Fall 2023
- Approve Final Environmental Document – Summer 2024
- Design and Permitting – 2024-2026
- Right of way acquisitions and utilities initiated – Summer 2025
- Begin Construction – Fall 2027