Real World Solutions
Right now, officials are doing what they can. But these measures simply are inadequate to the massive, and increasing challenges resulting from so many visitors coming to the area.
So much more needs to be done. And on a scale larger than what State Parks officials can do on their own. By law, State Parks does not control the problematic highway in front of Point Lobos. Caltrans is in the driver’s seat there. And California Highway patrol is responsible for law enforcement on this state highway.
In addition, Monterey County and the Coastal Commission play important roles in truly addressing the challenges.
The concrete action steps that follow offer many ways to make the highway outside Point Lobos much safer.
Our recommendations constitute a starting point. We have listed constructive suggestions by timeframe. Some of these proposed improvements to safety could start within a week. Others can happen in a just a few months time. The solution that truly eliminates these challenges likely will take years.
All the proposed actions are reasonable steps that public officials can take right now. (And some, like the shuttle system currently awaiting approval by Monterey County, are ideas that have been kicking around for more than a decade. The time to respond to the urgent conditions that since grew to crisis proportions is today.)
We urge you to urge officials to work together to execute effective solutions starting today.
No one agency can implement meaningful change by itself. But working together, public officials in many varied agencies can make Point Lobos a safe place to visit for all.