Caltrans launches Coast Highway Management Plan update; seeks steering committee and public input

Caltrans transportation planners presented the launch of an update to the Coast Highway Management Plan (CHMP), described the plan's federal All-American Road background and asked the byway steering group to act as a primary conduit for outreach.

Alec Kimmel (speaker 16), who leads the CHMP update effort for Caltrans' transportation planning division, said the effort is at an early stage and is expected to last about three years. He said the update will be stakeholder-driven, supported by internal working groups and a proposed steering committee that would include local representatives. The update is funded through a federal Protect grant, and the team published a public survey and project portal on the same day to gather input on goals, priorities and vision statements for the corridor.

Panelists emphasized two recurring needs: (1) clarify what the CHMP can actually require versus the legally binding Big Sur Land Use Plan, and (2) create practical, pre-drafted aesthetic and maintenance guidelines (for railings, signage and plantings) that can be integrated into the CHMP and then referenced during permit and repair actions. The chair noted that the land use plan is law, while the CHMP is intended as a management guidance document and that clarifying those roles early will avoid future conflicts.

Next steps: Caltrans will circulate steering-committee charters, run targeted outreach and provide the CHMP project portal link to the byway distribution list; staff expect to use the byway meetings as a forum for updates and to schedule more focused subcommittee sessions.