Morro Bay Pavement Project
Project Description
The project is located from post mile 25.7 to post mile 34.4, on Highway 1 in Morro Bay and Cayucos, in San Luis Obispo County. The primary scope of the project is pavement rehabilitation. The project also includes various asset improvements within the project limits.
The project would include the following:
Pavement and Parking Lot Improvements
The project would:
- Grind and overlay pavement on lanes and shoulders on State Route 1 within the project limits.
- Replace existing traffic stripes, pavement markings, and rumble strips in kind.
- Place shoulder backing throughout the project limits, next to the inside and outside shoulders, except where the median is paved and locations where the highway crosses through cut slopes.
- Replace any Transportation Management System loops and signal loops damaged by pavement grinding.
- Conduct light grading and place shoulder backing in the Morro Bay Dog Beach parking lot.
Pedestrian and Bicyclist Improvements
The project would:
- Replace nine curb ramps, modify one curb ramp, and install one new curb ramp (for a total of 11 curb ramps). These curb ramps are at the following locations:
- One of the curb ramps, where the northbound State Route 1 offramp meets Morro Bay Boulevard, will be modified by adding detectable warning system (typically a yellow surface with bumps).
- Four of the curb ramps at the State Route 41 and State Route 1 Intersection will be replaced.
- One of the curb ramps at the San Jacinto Street and State Route 1 Intersection will be replaced, and one will be added.
- Four of the curb ramps at the Yerba Buena Street and State Route 1 Intersection will be replaced.
- In addition, three curb ramps will be replaced, and three new curb ramps will be installed through a cooperative agreement with the City of Morro Bay. These curb ramps are at the following locations:
- Three curb ramps will be replaced at the San Jacinto Street and State Route 1 intersection.
- Three new curb ramps will be installed at the Yerba Buena Street and State Route 1 intersection.
- Install accessible pedestrian signals with speakers. Two would be installed at the intersection of State Route 1 and San Jacinto Street, and four would be installed at the intersection of State Route 1 and Yerba Buena Street.
- The project also includes sidewalk rehabilitation. sidewalks outside of Caltrans right-of-way should be included in the Morro Bay cooperative agreement.
- The sidewalks under the Main Street Undercrossing and at the southeastern corner of San Jacinto Street and State Route 1 will be upgraded from asphalt to concrete.
- The sidewalk at the corner of Yerba Buena Street and State Route 1 is currently concrete and will be replaced in kind.
- Conduct minor roadway widening and relocate traffic signals at three signalized intersections to add bike lanes between through lanes and right-turn pockets.
- Install bike parking facilities at the intersections of State Route 1 and Hill Plant Road, and State Route 1 and Toro Creek Road.
Lighting and Sign Improvements
The project would:
- Replace 12 light poles.
- Replace conduits for light poles if they are no longer usable.
- Add four new light poles, so there are two light poles per exit ramp, as is recommended per Caltrans’ Roadway Lighting Manual. This is dependent on funding becoming available.
- Install lighting to illuminate undercrossings with pedestrian infrastructure.
- Replace 17 sign panels and posts.
Barrier Improvements
The project would:
- Replace about 3,900 linear feet of guardrail with the Midwest Guardrail System and install vegetation control, likely crushed shale.
- Upgrade thrie beam barrier to meet current standards.
- Install concrete barrier transitions where guardrails end at bridge rails.
Drainage Improvements
The project would:
- Remove and replace existing dikes and overside drains at numerous locations throughout the project limits.
- Extend node four of culvert system 49-001-02-03112 about eight feet (16 linear feet due to the culvert system having two pipes) and remove and relocate the headwall to widen the roadway to place a bike lane at the signalized intersection of State Route 1 and San Jacinto Street. The slope of concrete ditches may be adjusted.
Fence Replacement
The project would:
- Replace the right-of-way fencing (6-foot chain link fence) at locations where the fence is in poor condition.
Project Benefits
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to preserve and extend the service life of the existing pavement. This project’s purpose also includes upgrading outdated assets within the project limits as needed and improving pedestrian and bicyclist facilities to maintain an efficient transportation information system.
Need
The pavement within the project limits is showing deterioration, and other roadway features are in poor condition. If left untreated, deterioration will continue and result in increasingly higher maintenance costs in the future. Most of the existing pedestrian and bicyclist facilities, along with other assets within the project limits, are also in poor condition or are not in compliance with current standards. Upgrading these facilities and assets will ensure a safe, accessible, and efficient transportation system.
Estimated Funding Breakdown
| Funding Source | Funding Amount |
|---|---|
| Local | To be determined |
| State | $32,000,000 |
| Federal | To be determined |
| Construction Cost | $32,000,000 |
Partnerships
- City of Morro Bay
- San Luis Obispo County
- California Coastal Commission
Proposed Project Schedule
| Process | Date |
|---|---|
| Final Environmental document to be completed | Fall 2026 |
| Right of way acquisition to be completed | Winter 2027 |
| Design to be completed | Winter 2028 |
| Advertise | Spring 2028 |
| Construction to begin | Summer 2028 |
| Construction to be completed | To be determined |
Project Contact
Benjamin Jensen, Project Manager
Phone: 805-788-8978
Email: ben.jensen@dot.ca.gov
Dianna Beck, Senior Environmental Scientist
Phone: 805-459-9406
Email: dianna.beck@dot.ca.gov
District 5 Public Information Office
Phone: 805-549-3237
Email: info-d5@dot.ca.gov
Documents
Accessibility Assistance: Caltrans makes every attempt to ensure our documents are accessible. Due to variances between assistive technologies, there may be portions of this document which are not accessible. Where documents cannot be made accessible, we are committed to providing alternative access to the content. Should you need additional assistance, please contact us at (916) 654-2852 or visit https://dot.ca.gov/request-ada-compliant-documents.
- Fact Sheet (PDF, 458 KB)
- Notice of Preparation (PDF, 583 KB)
- Public Notice (PDF, 84 KB)
Public Meetings:
Information about any public meetings will be shared on this webpage prior to the event.
Title VI Information
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assures that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and Federal Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).
Caltrans will make every effort to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether they are federally funded or not, and that services and benefits are fairly distributed to all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin. In addition, Caltrans will facilitate meaningful participation in the transportation planning process in a nondiscriminatory manner.
Title VI Brochures
Title VI brochures in various languages