Major project to widen Highway 101 in SLO County will slow traffic for months
Drivers can expect months of traffic delays on a key stretch of Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo County, according to Caltrans.
Crews recently broke ground on a major construction project “aimed at improving safety, reducing congestion, and enhancing mobility” along the corridor in the southern part of SLO County, the California Department of Transportation said in a Tuesday, April 28, news release.
It’s officially known as the Five Cities Multimodal Transportation Network Enhancement Project.
Here’s what to know:
What is Highway 101 construction in SLO County?
Caltrans said it plans to ease “peak-period congestion” on southbound Highway 101 by “constructing a left-shoulder part-time travel lane from San Luis Obispo Creek to the railroad overhead in Pismo Beach.”
The southbound left shoulder is being widened to accommodate that lane, which would be open during periods of heavy traffic and special events, Caltrans said on the Five Cities project site.
Other key elements include a “park-and-ride facility with transit connections and electric vehicle charging stations” and a shared-use path, Caltrans said in the release.
Where can I expect traffic delays in Pismo Beach? When?
Drivers can expect traffic delays in Pismo Beach from the downtown area north to Mattie Road, according to the city’s Experience Pismo Beach website.
Roadwork is scheduled to take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and “last through the end of the year,” the city said in an April 7 update.
Traffic controls and flagging operations are in effect, while bicycle and pedestrian access remain open.
How long will the roadwork last?
The Five Cities Project officially broke ground on Tuesday.
Construction is expected to be completed by December 2028, according to Caltrans.
Are Pismo Beach hotels, restaurants open during roadwork?
Pismo Beach businesses including hotels, restaurants and shops will remain open during construction, Caltrans said, although travel times in the area may vary due to traffic.
“Pismo Beach remains open, and our businesses are ready to welcome visitors throughout the duration of the project,” Pismo Beach City Manager Jorge Garcia said in the release.
Caltrans encouraged travelers to “check current traffic conditions and plan ahead, particularly during peak travel periods, weekends, holidays and major events.”
How much will Five Cities Project cost?
Caltrans is partnering with the city of Pismo Beach and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments on the Five Cities Multimodal Transportation Network Enhancement Project.
The full price tag is $57 million, with most of the funding coming from the state Trade Corridor Enhancement Program.
“The Five Cities Project is part of a broader ‘bundle’ of coordinated transportation investments,” Caltrans said, including the Avila Beach Drive roundabout, the Bob Jones City to the Sea Trail extension and the Shell Beach Road shared-use path.
