Encouraging Developments
On July 17th, the Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Committee (BSMAAC) chaired by Congressman Jimmy Panetta and Supervisor Kate Daniels, heard impassioned testimony about the safety concerns about the Highway 1 situation near Point Lobos. They also received multiple suggestions for remedying the urgent safety crisis.
Following that meeting, Supervisor Kate Daniels’ office reports that there is progress on multiple fronts related to Highway 1 safety near the Reserve:
Removing the most dangerous parking spots. Supervisor Daniels is proposing that the County prohibit parking south of the Reserve entrance in the narrowest section of the highway shoulder -- an area where parked vehicles force pedestrians into the travel lane, creating dangerous safety hazards. She has requested the referral readout (the initial public acknowledgement of the referral) to occur on August 11th, the first Board meeting back from the break.
Advancing the permit request for the reservation and shuttle system. Daniels' office also is evaluating options to fasttrack the ParkIt! reservation system and is in active conversations with State Parks and County staff regarding what an expedited process could look like.
Raising fines to discourage dangerous illegal parking. Currently, a parking ticket issued on Highway 1 by State Parks is $71.50, but fines are much lower ($28) when issued by the California Highway Patrol. Daniels' team is working with the County finance department and CHP to increase those CHP fines.
Developing a safe pedestrian path along the highway. Daniels' referral on the pedestrian parking ban also addresses the incomplete but so needed pedestrian path north of the entrance to Pt. Lobos. The intent is to engage CalTrans and Public Works to work on repairing the small bridge on the path, which would also alleviate people walking too close to Highway traffic there as well.
Hopefully, the Supervisors will act urgently and decisively to assure safe access for everyone who wants to visit Point Lobos!