In 2015, the Agency received a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Sustainable Communities Planning Grant to evaluate current and future travel patterns between Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula, the feasibility of affordable mid-term operational and capacity improvements in the SR 68 corridor in context to other planned regional improvements, and the potential for wildlife connectivity enhancements.
In December 2015, the Agency approved two contracts for consultant services to complete the plan, one to conduct the wildlife connectivity analysis, and the other to conduct the travel analysis and evaluate concepts for improving travel through the corridor.
In spring of 2016, the Agency conducted a round of public outreach to determine what the public viewed as the most critical needs for the corridor. The outreach included a public workshop, meetings with local jurisdictions and stakeholder groups, and an interactive online forum for people to provide comments.
Through the summer and fall of 2016, the project team completed a detailed analysis of the existing conditions along the corridor. The findings of the analysis are included in technical memorandums that are published on the project website for public review at: www.sr68sceniccorridorstudy.com.
Since January of 2017, the project team has been developed three corridor concept alternatives for consideration. The corridor alternatives are listed below and details of each alternative were presented at the April 26, 2017 Board meeting:
- Alternative 1: Installation of roundabouts at major intersections
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Alternative 2: Selective segment widening with roundabouts at major intersections
- Alternative 3: Integrated corridor management (adaptive signalization) with some widening
In addition to the corridor alternatives, the project team has produced a list of recommended improvements for wildlife connectivity which will be included in the final adapted corridor plan.
Since the April 26th Board meeting, the project team has been engaged in a second phase of public outreach to gather public input on the three alternatives. This outreach has included a public workshop on May 4th, meetings with community groups and stakeholders individually, and promotion of the interactive project website and online survey about the alternatives.
To date, more than 200 individuals have taken part in the online survey, and dozens more have participated in the survey during the May 4th workshop and in subsequent community presentations. Some of the key findings of the outreach include:
- Strong support for roundabouts in general and for Highway 68
- Support for keeping Highway 68 a scenic roadway
- Strong opinions for and against widening Highway 68 to four lanes
- A lack of support for Alternative 3
A detailed summary of the outreach results will be presented at the June 28th Board meeting.
This public feedback is being used to help inform final recommendations for the SR 68 Scenic Highway Plan. The Agency and consultant team are currently drafting a recommended alternative and will present the draft recommended alternative at the June 28th Board meeting.
The current project schedule calls for SR 68 Scenic Highway Plan to be released for public review in July and presented to Agency Board for approval on August 23, 2017.