A repaving project on Highway 1 changed traffic-signal patterns in Half Moon Bay, producing complete gridlock and long waits at multiple intersections. San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller demanded answers from state authorities, saying residents and local businesses were not given notice and that Caltrans should fix the problem immediately before a busy holiday weekend. Sheriff’s deputies were attempting to direct traffic, but additional action was requested to prevent worsening congestion. Caltrans said three signals were set to scheduled timing because repaving made detector hardware under the pavement inoperative. Caltrans stated timing would be monitored and adjusted to reduce backups, and that nighttime construction would be halted during the holiday weekend.
"Half Moon Bay residents have seen "complete gridlock" after a Caltrans repaving project modified traffic signal patterns, forcing long waits at the lights, according to San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller. "I'm furious," Mueller said in a Friday news release. "Residents and local businesses deserve answers about why this work is occurring immediately before one of the busiest weekends of the year for the Coastside. Caltrans needs to fix this now - today, immediately.""
"Mueller told SFGATE by phone that sheriff's deputies are attempting to direct traffic, but called for more action before crowds descend on the scenic byway for the holiday weekend. He said his office was not given notice about the impact. Caltrans spokesperson Jeneane Crawford said in an email to SFGATE Friday that three traffic signals at Highway 1 and Capistrano Street, Coronado Street and Russeau Francais Street have been set to scheduled timing because a repaving project has currently made the traffic detector hardware installed under the pavement inoperative."
""The timing is being actively monitored and adjusted to alleviate traffic back-ups to the extent possible. All other intersections along the project corridor have fully operational detector loops," Crawford said in an email. Crawford said Caltrans "is working to lessen the impact" and will halt nighttime construction work on the project throughout the holiday weekend, but she did not say if the traffic signals could be changed immediately."
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