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Proposed Roundabouts at Highway 68 Intersections:
Learn About Them and Provide Your Input
On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) will host a "Scenic Route 68 Corridor Improvement Project Open House" from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Hospitality Pavilion, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Monterey-Salinas Highway.
TAMC is our regional government that plans and oversees transportation, including State Route (Highway) 68 between Salinas and Monterey. In partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), TAMC is planning to improve nine Highway 68 intersections that now have traffic lights. This project is intended to increase travel times, reduce vehicle collisions, reduce collisions with wildlife, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A controversial aspect of this project is the proposal to build roundabouts (similar to the roundabout built at the Highway 1 - Holman Highway intersection in 2017) to replace the traffic lights.
Some people think trailer trucks (such as car carriers for Car Week) will be physically unable to navigate roundabouts on Highway 68. Some people are concerned that the construction process for roundabouts will inconvenience residents and discourage tourists from visiting the area. Conversely, some people oppose the project as a concept because they believe road improvements could end up increasing tourism and economic development and also induce population growth.
While recognizing these concerns, your Chamber believes that improving the overall quality of life and increasing economic opportunities in our region entails a reasonable degree of risk and openness to change. The community apprehension about the Holman Highway roundabout dissipated quickly after it opened, and most residents appear to appreciate the smoother traffic flow.
Representatives of your Chamber actively participated in the TAMC/Caltrans environmental review scoping meeting for this Highway 68 project on October 3, 2019. Most of the many attendees at that meeting appeared to support the project, although there were a few vocal opponents. We will be at this follow-up meeting on July 19, and encourage you to attend as well.
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