Description and Alternatives

Description
The City of Monterey proposes to widen and upgrade Route 68 (Holman Highway) from two lanes to three/four lanes in Monterey County from approximately 0.2 kilometers (0.1 miles) west of the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP) entrance to the State Route (SR) 1 and Route 68 junction. Improvements to SR 1 south bound off-ramp and on-ramp are also included in the project. If implemented, the project would relieve existing and future traffic congestion, improve traffic safety, improve traffic operations, minimize delay of emergency vehicle access to the hospital, and reduce the incentive for bypass traffic through the Skyline Forest neighborhood. It would also result in improved access to the Pebble Beach entrance, the CHOMP and Beverly Manor Complex. The project consists of a no-build alternative; three build alternatives, and three variations of the build alternatives.

Alternatives Considered

1. No Build Alternative: This alternative would maintain the facility as is. There would continue to be deficient operations on Route 68, at the Route 68/SR 1 Intersection, and on the southbound off-ramp where traffic is known to back up onto the mainline.
    
2. Build Alternatives: Common design features of all build alternatives are summarized below.
   • Construction impact from widening Route 68 to either 3 or 4 lanes would be identical because the proposed retaining walls would be constructed at the ultimate 4-lane-widened location.
   • Scenic Drive Overcrossing would be replaced with a new bridge.
   • Access to Beverly Manor entrance would be maintained with potential for a new signal system.
   • SR 1 southbound off- and on-ramps would require a retaining wall.
   • The Pebble Beach entrance would be modified.
   • Two retaining walls located along the north and south sides of Route 68 between Scenic Drive and Beverly Manor Entrance would receive aesthetic treatment.
   • Traffic signals at Route 68/SR 1 and at Route 68/CHOMP intersections would be modified.
      

   Build Alternative 1 – (Three Lane Facility) is characterized by the addition of one lane in the eastbound direction from 0.1 mile west of the CHOMP entrance to the Route 68/SR 1 ramp intersection. This added eastbound lane would terminate as a mandatory right-turn lane to the Pebble Beach entrance/SR 1 southbound on-ramp. The construction limit for this alternative would be identical to the ultimate 4-lane widened alternative. This alternative would not result in a 12-foot-wide pavement for the fourth (westbound) lane, but the retaining walls would be constructed at their ultimate locations to accommodate the four-lane future condition. Build Alternative 2 – (Three Lane Facility) is characterized by the addition of one lane in the westbound direction from the Route 68/SR 1 ramp intersection to the CHOMP entrance. This added westbound lane would terminate as a mandatory right-turn lane to CHOMP. The construction limit for this alternative would be identical to the ultimate 4-lane widened alternative. This alternative would not result in a 12-foot-wide pavement for the fourth (eastbound) lane, but the retaining walls would be constructed at their ultimate locations to accommodate the four-lane future condition. Build Alternative 3 – (Four Lane Facility) is characterized by the addition of two lanes (one additional lane in each direction) that would result in a full four-lane facility. Route 68 would be widened to a full four-lane facility from the intersection of Route 68/SR 1 ramp to just west of the CHOMP entrance. In the westbound direction, two lanes would be carried past the CHOMP entrance and then merged to the existing one-lane highway approximately 600 feet west of the CHOMP entrance. In the eastbound direction, the right lane would terminate as a mandatory right turn lane to the Pebble Beach entrance. Build Alternative Variations – There are three design variations, or combination thereof, that could be incorporated as part of the project. These design options address the treatment of the Route 68/SR 1 intersection. Variation 1 and 2 would work with all build alternatives. Variation 3 would work with all build alternatives and Variation 1 and 2. Five Legged Intersection: This variation is characterized as a five legged intersection option that would result in all traffic movements to be brought together at one intersection. This intersection would be signalized. Roundabout: This variation is characterized as a traffic circle that would result in constructing a one-way circular traffic flow at the intersection of Route 68/SR 1 ramps. Traffic would enter this circle in a free flowing movement with yield at the point of entry into the circle. The southbound right turn exit ramp movement would bypass the roundabout. Collector-Distributor Road: This variation is characterized as an SR 1 Distributor/Collector option that would result in a new SR 1 exit lane dedicated solely to access the Pebble Beach Main Gate. The Distributor/Collector lane would originate at the SR 1 southbound auxiliary lane near the beginning of the exit ramp, and continue under the SR 1 Bridge at Route 68, and conform at the Pebble Beach Main Gate entrance. This design variation allows direct, unrestricted access to the Pebble Beach Main Gate entrance from the southbound SR 1 direction and reduces the volume of traffic traveling through the Route 68/SR 1 intersection.

Probable Environmental Effects

• Change in visual character of the area
• Potential increase in noise levels
• Tree and vegetation removal
• Impacts to fringe wetlands
• Impacts to hydrology (construction of new drainage facilities)
• Temporary construction impacts to residents