Adaptive Traffic Signals Will Soon Operate on Highway 68 Between Monterey and Salinas

In January of this year, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) reported that equipment and software for an adaptive traffic signal AI system had been installed at the nine signalized intersections along Scenic Route 68. The system is expected to start operating in May after Caltrans completes training and calibrates the system. Data collection to be used for analysis will begin in May and will be ongoing for the next five years. Caltrans will provide a progress report about the system to the Board of Directors of the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) at the board’s June 24, 2026 meeting.

Sand City Plans to Close Gap in Monterey Bay Coastal Trail

In pursuit of its Government Affairs goals for "Transportation Improvements" and "Quality of Life Issues,” your Chamber of Commerce is supporting a plan from Sand City to build a one-mile multi-use trail project intended to fill a gap between northern and southern sections of the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. Sand City has submitted a draft Use Agreement to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) requesting long-term, exclusive rights to use portions of the former Monterey Branch Line rail corridor for the trail and associated parking. Your Chamber supports this request.

The Chamber is impressed with TAMC's progress in helping to develop a regional network of trails that residents and visitors can use for recreation. This network includes the ambitious Fort Ord Regional Trail & Greenway (FORTAG). These trails are also expanding commute routes for people who would prefer to travel to and from work without a personal passenger vehicle.

Ensuring Salinas Valley Basin Water Sustainability Is an Expensive Proposition

Norm Groot of the Monterey County Farm Bureau was the featured speaker at the April 13, 2026 meeting of your Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. Among the items presented was a list of the current estimated cost of proposed water projects to ensure groundwater sustainability in the Salinas Valley Basin:

MONTEREY BAY DEFENSE ALLIANCE SPRING BREAKFAST: Beyond the Hanoi Hilton: A Conversation with Formal Naval Flight Officer and Vietnam POW Larry Friese

Wednesday, April 15 | 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Monterey Conference Center

Enjoy light breakfast, an update from Monterey Bay Defense Alliance Chairperson Fred Meurer, and a conversation with Guest Speaker Larry Friese followed by a Q&A.

RIBBON CUTTING: The Bridge Restoration Ministry

Thursday, April 16 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

1249 Josselyn Canyon Road, Monterey

Please join us to celebrate The Bridge Restoration's Ministry's major landscaping upgrades of their Monterey campus! Come enjoy an outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, turf, fruit orchard, bee hives, and more!

RIBBON CUTTING: MontereyRentals.com Carmel-by-the-Sea Office

Thursday, April 23 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Southwest Corner of San Carlos & 7th, Hampton Court, Suite #1, Carmel-by-the-Sea

MontereyRentals.com invites you to join us as we celebrate an important milestone in our 40th Anniversary year — the opening of our Carmel-by-the-Sea office.