Caltrans Central Coast (District 5)

Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) There are 30 freeways and highways located within District 5 that if placed end-to-end would stretch for 1,169 miles.
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Serving Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties along California's Central Coast, dedicated to safe, sustainable transport. District 5 is made up of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties The district is the home of over 800 Caltrans employees including 350 field employees. The district is also home to Highway 101, which i

s one of three major north and south routes connecting northern and southern California. The Pacific Surfliner, funded by Caltrans and operated by Amtrak, travels between San Luis Obispo and San Diego and is currently the second most popular passenger train route in the country. There are 33 cities and 7,788,809 acres in the five-county district, with a population of over 1.3 million people. Motorists travel 6.9 billion vehicle miles through the district each year. Building, operating and maintaining the highway system within such a unique environment demands careful consideration in virtually all District projects. The District maintains a careful balance to preserve and protect the sensitive environment while meeting the needs of an ever-increasing population who utilize the state highway system. The district is home to one of the most picturesque and diverse landscapes in the nation. President Roosevelt was at the Grand Opening of Highway 1 between Morro Bay and Carmel on June 27, 1938. Originally estimated to cost $1.5 million, the 139-mile section of Highway 1 included 33 bridges and was completed at a cost of $10 million or $71,000 per mile. The project to build the highway was begun in 1919 and completed in 1937. Recently, it was named as one of 22 All-America Highways in the U.S. Historically, Bixby Creek Bridge, on the north end of the highway, is one of the most photographed man-made structures in the nation.

09/04/2026

COUNTY − The Department of Transportation, (Caltrans), in cooperation with Teichert Construction, announces the following schedule update in part of the Fresno 198 Culvert Rehabilitation Project in Fresno County.

The following will occur Sunday through Thursday, overnight, from 11:00pm to 5:00am, beginning Tuesday, September 8th through Thursday, September 24th:

• State Route 198 will be closed between Monterey County Line and just west of Firestone Avenue near Coalinga in continuation with the culvert upgrade operations.
o A signed detour will be in place utilizing State Route 33, State Route 41, State Route 46, and State Route 101 (see map on attachment).
• The contractor will also continue culvert work at designated sites within the project limits utilizing one-way reversing traffic control Monday through Friday from 6:00am to 6:00pm as scheduled.
o During this time the contractor will use flagging personnel through the work zone. Commuters are reminded to obey flagging personnel and pay close attention to road construction vehicles and personnel
Closures may continue for longer periods of time, if necessary, due to delays caused by weather or uncontrollable events that may occur.

Caltrans Construction personnel remind you to drive with extra care and allow additional travel time while travelling in the construction area. Please be alert for Road Construction Personnel and “Slow for the Cone Zone.”

More information on the Fresno State Route 198 Culvert Rehabilitation Project can be found at the link below:

Project Webpage:
https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-6/district-6-projects/06-0x060

For real-time information, please visit Caltrans QuickMap:
https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

CHP - Fresno County of Fresno Caltrans Central Coast (District 5)

Highway 1 Closure Update for Big Sur:  As of 6 am tomorrow the northern closure of Highway 1 supporting Timber Fire oper...
09/02/2026

Highway 1 Closure Update for Big Sur: As of 6 am tomorrow the northern closure of Highway 1 supporting Timber Fire operations will be lifted from Post Mile 56 (south of Little Sur River) to Post Mile 45 (just south of the Big Sur Post Office). The southern closure from Pacific Valley at Post Mile 16 down to Post Mile 0.0 at the Monterey/San Luis Obispo County line remains in place to support Plaskett Fire emergency response efforts. Please avoid that area and use US 101 as an alternate route.

UPDATE: Two segments of Hwy 1 remain closed, and there is no through‑traffic. North Closure: post mile 56 just south of ...
08/31/2026

UPDATE: Two segments of Hwy 1 remain closed, and there is no through‑traffic. North Closure: post mile 56 just south of Little Sur River to post mile 45 just south of Big Sur Post Office. South Closure: post mile 16 near Pacific Valley to post mile 0.0 at the Monterey/San Luis Obispo County Line.

08/31/2026

🌟 We are revising the Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan (ITSP) 🌟

Caltrans is continuing engagement to gather input from the public and partners to revise the ITSP, and we want your voice at the table! Join us on September 3, 2026 and/or September 10, 2026 to discuss the initial input we received and the proposed revisions that will help shape the future of California’s interregional transportation system.

Your input is essential as we work to improve mobility, safety, and connectivity across the state. Let’s build a stronger, more integrated transportation network for all Californians! 🚗🚆🛣️

👉 Register Here:
Register Here: https://engage.dot.ca.gov/itsp -77669

Highway 1 closure update: As of 1 p.m. today, two segments of Highway 1 remain closed, and there is no through‑traffic a...
08/28/2026

Highway 1 closure update: As of 1 p.m. today, two segments of Highway 1 remain closed, and there is no through‑traffic along the Big Sur coast. Please plan ahead and follow all posted detours.
North Segment Closure:
At post mile 56 just south of Little Sur River to post mile 45 just south of Big Sur Post Office.
South Segment Closure:
At post mile 16 near Pacific Valley to post mile 10.2 near Gorda.
First responders continue to work in both areas. Thank you for your patience and caution while traveling.

UPDATE: A 40‑mile stretch of Highway 1 in Big Sur is now closed to support Timber and Plaskett Fire operations.The closu...
08/28/2026

UPDATE: A 40‑mile stretch of Highway 1 in Big Sur is now closed to support Timber and Plaskett Fire operations.
The closure runs from Gorda (PM 10.2) to just north of Captain Cooper Elementary (PM 50.1). Please avoid unnecessary travel in the area and use US 101 as an alternate route. Electronic signs are in place. Thank you for your patience as crews work to protect the community.

Today at 1 p.m. an eight-mile stretch of Highway 1 will close to support ongoing Timber Fire operations. The closure run...
08/27/2026

Today at 1 p.m. an eight-mile stretch of Highway 1 will close to support ongoing Timber Fire operations. The closure runs from just south of Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn to near Andrew Molera State Park.
Please avoid unnecessary travel and use US 101 as an alternate route. Electronic signs will provide advance notice. Thank you for your patience as crews continue critical emergency response efforts in Big Sur.

08/26/2026
Heads up travelers through the Big Sur area. A one-day maintenance project is happening tomorrow along Highway 1, helpin...
08/25/2026

Heads up travelers through the Big Sur area. A one-day maintenance project is happening tomorrow along Highway 1, helping us keep the roadway safe and flowing smoothly. Work will take place at Torre Canyon where crews will be removing rock piles left from recent Timber Fire operations. This work will clear pullouts, restores proper drainage, and reduces the chance of rocks reaching the travel lane. Expect 10–15 minute delays between 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

08/24/2026

SBCAG is accepting applications for 11 volunteers to help guide the State Route 135/Broadway Corridor Study. Openings include four representatives from Orcutt, four from Santa Maria and three at-large representatives from organizations serving the corridor. Members will share community perspectives on transportation challenges and potential improvements for safety, congestion, transit, walking, biking and freight movement. No transportation planning experience is required. Applications are available in English and Spanish, and language assistance can support participation. Members serve without compensation and are expected to attend approximately four in-person meetings. Applications are due Sunday, Sept. 20.

Caltrans Central Coast (District 5)
County of Santa Barbara
City of Santa Maria Ca

Address

50 Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA
93401

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18055493111

Alerts

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