[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6426835,"mediaKeyId","5880195-9e752a40b175b37fbfb7b64cbb05f3ac","parentId",5880195,"title","Caltrans presents narrower '5‑11H' bridge rail option as Highway 1 speed limits are set to drop","audioSeconds",172,"startMs",179000,"endMs",351000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880195-9e752a40b175b37fbfb7b64cbb05f3ac&start=179&end=351","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880195-9e752a40b175b37fbfb7b64cbb05f3ac/thumbnail_179000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6426835/Monterey-County/California/Caltrans-presents-narrower-511H-bridge-rail-option-as-Highway-1-speed-limits-are-set-to-drop","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426835-025498f8bc5a466b4c2e008eb0835dd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773641090&Signature=OKKtWQYgHH2wyHj2kNAWEEkVQA~-4JMMtexvsaXZ0lTCF6rcN3~ktAMGdngoqPo5txI55Ob-Bc8QT-s7UCor-MY8~jQQl2Lf2xTRvzRmSIZQOEQQiGD7svjK6UL6CcobyMq6gz5Katmt8K-T-xGsk6px7ALbucbFREyWKDliRYdayEfaoVoixN2CpAmYjRUNMoRcqCj3E-B~hmvVmJxdhD--qtBlcCe1gWzn~pgn4FPzPlUPl8n-1eF~TO7Hxlklm5jVkspDZAv-vBJklzWyMoJCcq15OTS5LGqBvhJH8NYYdnF4w~VfG-aGDi62t1fnicyTUheYBahJFe0FvDpx7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monterey County","date","2025-10-01T22:51:59Z","article","Caltrans staff on Thursday described a potential shift from the heavy, crash‑tested “86H” bridge rail toward a narrower, visually lighter alternative known in presentation material as the “5‑11H,” and said a recent speed‑zone study opened that option by supporting lower posted limits in the corridor.

The agency presented the 5‑11H as a rail with narrower baluster widths and a slimmer profile that preserves larger visual openings. Scott Smith, Caltrans office chief for environmental work on capital projects, described the 86H as “designed as what they call a test level 4 railing” intended for higher‑speed highways, and said the 5‑11H is a lower test level railing that “was already crash tested in Texas.”

Caltrans staff said engineering speed‑zone surveys covering Coast Road to Garapata showed drivers are using lower speeds than the previous 55 mph postings. That data, the presenters said, supports replacing the heavier 86H with a rail engineered for lower posted speeds while allowing room for aesthetic treatments tailored to individual bridges.

Why it matters: the corridor includes historic arch bridges and a widely shared interest in preserving coastal views. The switch from a heavier rail to a slimmer, crash‑worthy alternative could reduce visual obstruction for motorists and visitors while meeting safety requirements, the Caltrans team said.

Supporting details: Caltrans said the speed limit work remains an administrative process: the survey is nearly complete, the California Highway Patrol has concurred in the findings, and Monterey County must be given the opportunity to hold a public hearing under state law. Presenters outlined proposed postings: South of Coast Road to just north of Rocky Creek would move from 55 to 40 mph; from north of Rocky Creek to Garapata would move from 55 to 45 mph, subject to the county hearing and final approvals.

Caltrans emphasized the 5‑11H would not be forced on any bridge automatically. Aaron Wolfram, a Caltrans project manager who covers multiple mid‑coast projects, said each bridge will be evaluated individually and that the agency is seeking community input and possible localized aesthetic adaptations rather than delivering a single, final design.

The agency said the 5‑11H (and a related 5‑12H variant) are expected to be available for use in California later this year if approvals complete; final selection and installation at any site would still require engineering, Coastal Development Permits where applicable and coordination with the Coastal Commission and Monterey County.

Community response and next steps: attendees welcomed early sharing of the concept rather than a finished design. Participants asked Caltrans to provide dynamic visuals simulating the view from a vehicle at proposed posted speeds and stressed that treating the set of coastal bridges as a coherent visual corridor should factor into design choices.

Caltrans said it will continue design work, coordinate with the Coastal Commission on permitting, and follow the county’s public‑hearing schedule for speed limit changes. No final decisions or installations were approved at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Big Sur Byways Organization (BSBO) Meeting – September 24, 2025.","oneSentenceSummary","Caltrans staff told the Monterey County collaborative they are studying a narrower, historically styled bridge rail (the '5‑11H') that could be allowable now that engineering speed surveys show lower driving speeds on parts of Highway 1; county public hearings and Coastal Development Permit processes remain prerequisites to any installation.","taxTitle","Monterey County, California","taxId",3728,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426824,"Caltrans announces November 19 public session to launch Coast Highway Management Plan update",230,1442000,1672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880195-9e752a40b175b37fbfb7b64cbb05f3ac&start=1442&end=1672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880195-9e752a40b175b37fbfb7b64cbb05f3ac/thumbnail_1442000.jpg","/articles/6426824/Monterey-County/California/Caltrans-announces-November-19-public-session-to-launch-Coast-Highway-Management-Plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426824-e27437a83ad8c2250caca0964bb02dca/orig.mp4?Expires=1773641090&Signature=AMWFh8ZJnpbqg4BE7uyj7DLC-P6csbXMdl1df7vZkHtnxyMb6zJV4dbjt5cgnjTP9aCPuLp4Bo-NA8Jsf7XBDH~lT-6As2XP8dOfdUrOkubDZWMHGRmen3EkMwFyq5Eso7Wcn8FBu0wqNBdyGKj6XX7jEvAb-zP6qzhuFiK-j0rJXp3JL7wZu2Dhg~Tf2P8gF93PNmPXGEroYsU0Q9IP~aabWiqXklbU0G9GeVUzYSTqEt0FfAhKNSBrZrmF8loLyBGSU-lsfmkJ5owwu~VUn4TNcRcD3b~xfIfKNTpnkXZVnG-SYNDPV3WBlNfQiYLXMdyyPPQb6TLmkLMZdSt5Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caltrans told the Monterey County collaborative it plans to dedicate its November 19 meeting to a broad community discussion launching an update of the Coast Highway Management Plan, a corridor management document first adopted in 2004.

The agency said it won federal funding last year to support staff and consultant work for a CHMP update that will consider corridor aesthetics, landscape management, emergency response, vegetation management and new priorities such as climate adaptation and equity.

John (Caltrans staff) said the agency intends to hire staff and consultants, run stakeholder outreach and produce a revised plan on a roughly three‑year timeline. He urged collaboration and asked members and constituency groups to prepare written summaries of priorities ahead of the November 19 meeting so that discussion time can focus on process and priorities rather than listing individual problems.

Why it matters: the CHMP guides design and management decisions along Highway 1, including bridge treatments, signage, emergency planning and visitor management. Caltrans and attendees noted the CHMP update should be coordinated with the Big Sur land‑use plan update and with local agencies to reconcile differing requirements.

Next steps: Caltrans said it will announce more details for the Nov. 19 session and asked the collaborative to spread the word and encourage written submissions of constituency priorities in advance. The agency also said it will present periodic updates and form staff resources dedicated to the project.","Caltrans said it secured federal funding to update the Coast Highway Management Plan (CHMP), will seek broad community input and aims to complete the update in roughly three years; the collaborative was asked to collect written input ahead of a dedicated November 19 meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426811,"State Parks and partners advance 'Park It' shuttle and reservation plans for Point Lobos; county permit review under way",275,3345000,3620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880195-9e752a40b175b37fbfb7b64cbb05f3ac&start=3345&end=3620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880195-9e752a40b175b37fbfb7b64cbb05f3ac/thumbnail_3345000.jpg","/articles/6426811/Monterey-County/California/State-Parks-and-partners-advance-Park-It-shuttle-and-reservation-plans-for-Point-Lobos-county-permit-review-under-way","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426811-b4557c190d0f368f5aa2594cd94c4246/orig.mp4?Expires=1773641090&Signature=YHLpgeq395XsFoWzLLFvpGo1lgbgWOz5czsb7I9U60hFDyqZBjtqx1fwTD~D-R2vMowhoKnetnda2AxgpLbrK~wSVT7x0OZBDiaArEmUt8IPKmZdFQwPSzXjTU3Y7YHnBmO0SG434GOLkMY88vog0kGOJffLnFxkFkLOJ74-1T3OEu5TkLtEgv9MXYtimYLBzYLTQ6QCB4AehtBCI~Yp9LufYealE71b~gx0RYCG88oxxAXSqgORCOP1eWQpcMYF37B-EoDEdi~zLs2JtvAZN680oDRwV8PTPuuBquLmATblTtb8yAB14~RljLMozCYajnSq-apQjqqpAlj3ax8d3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Parks and partner organizations told the collaborative they have submitted a coastal development permit (CDP) application to Monterey County for a proposed Park It parking and shuttle project intended to reduce roadside parking and crowding at Point Lobos.

A State Parks representative said the Park It plan would include off‑site parking at a location referred to in materials as Maribond (Lobos) Flats and a concession‑operated shuttle service that could use a reservation system for Point Lobos entries. The agency said the CDP is in county review and that timelines vary: permitting, construction of the parking lot and then the shuttle concession procurement could make a near‑term implementation take a few years.

Braylon (Coastal Commission staff) told the meeting the commission and State Parks “are in kind of mutual agreement of what the project should look like generally” and that the county’s processing schedule will largely determine the next steps. State Parks said the shuttle would likely be a concession procured through a request‑for‑proposals process.

Why it matters: Point Lobos is a high‑demand site where illegal roadside parking creates safety hazards on Highway 1. Park It seeks to provide an alternative that reduces roadside stopping, adds shuttle capacity and manages visitor entries via reservation to smooth peaks.

Community outreach and related efforts: State Parks said it is running public tours and outreach through existing programs and has started feasibility assessments for longer‑term additional parking options at other sites (referred to as Lobos Ranch in the meeting). Participants urged that any shuttle or parking program coordinate with transit providers and consider micro‑transit and worker‑centered services as complementary options.

Next steps: County review of the CDP is ongoing; if Monterey County schedules the public hearing it will lengthen the timeline, the presenters said. If the county declines a hearing, the process may move faster. State Parks and partners expect to continue outreach and report progress at future collaborative meetings.","State Parks and the 'Park It' partnership said they submitted a coastal development permit application to Monterey County for an outside parking and shuttle program that would include reservations for Point Lobos; implementation timing depends on county review and construction schedules.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426801,"Community presses for sustained presence, volunteer marshals and trail fixes to ease Bixby Bridge parking and safety problems",541,2556000,3097000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880195-9e752a40b175b37fbfb7b64cbb05f3ac&start=2556&end=3097","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880195-9e752a40b175b37fbfb7b64cbb05f3ac/thumbnail_2556000.jpg","/articles/6426801/Monterey-County/California/Community-presses-for-sustained-presence-volunteer-marshals-and-trail-fixes-to-ease-Bixby-Bridge-parking-and-safety-problems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426801-651961bc8f6b80fa12424610d6eeb764/orig.mp4?Expires=1773641090&Signature=KDMkgQkrIAex972FJiFxTOUimvbM78Uep88C98wvYv5w2s41cSma9GRGaYz5GxB~DH~GEgFy3JRVvlI61QLWiZzfH96E3P2Iy5ufZ3U0KxSaPidqjYdUyR4sR4I7ZfXr6u-PfWfdUvRIgsfPGJzY83LY0V8u3zRU-BGnYcypx1~W-YRmZniSYP6h6WR-6Wn12hy74OiUn3VX~eZ1xM8zd4NpI2xbE6U8I~~WtCej-0LPJTXVT6Lajg5JCILBaAgvGnroj10oG~6oCpGWXQhQFeOt8hosgs3DZTSMSS8SqNc-WfHBN35MPYEFI4TZs~UrzBsGtwJRJMehtAioFEbcRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Task‑force members and volunteers on Thursday described repeated safety incidents caused by roadside parking and pedestrian crossings near Bixby Bridge and urged a layered approach that combines enforcement, active traffic management and quick physical fixes to reduce risk.

Multiple participants recounted instances when volunteers or a uniformed person with a radio could clear parked cars and restore emergency access faster than relying exclusively on law enforcement. Laura (MidCoast volunteer / fire brigade participant) described a recent midday action in which she, wearing her volunteer fire gear, asked motorists to move and said that ","Task‑force participants reiterated that peak weekend parking and roadside stopping at Bixby Bridge creates safety hazards; volunteers and agency representatives urged trials of non‑enforcement marshals, outsourcing ticketing and repairing adjacent trails to keep pedestrians off the highway.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Caltrans presents narrower '5‑11H' bridge rail option as Highway 1 speed limits are set to drop

Caltrans announces November 19 public session to launch Coast Highway Management Plan update

State Parks and partners advance 'Park It' shuttle and reservation plans for Point Lobos; county permit review under way

Community presses for sustained presence, volunteer marshals and trail fixes to ease Bixby Bridge parking and safety problems