Welcome to Noozhawk Asks, a new feature in which you ask the questions, you help decide what Noozhawk investigates, and you work with us to find the answers.
Question: How many more days will northbound Highway 101 be only one lane at the Gaviota curve? It does not look like the project will straighten the S curve.
— Lynne Sherman, Goleta
The $7 million project to realign the northbound lanes of Highway 101 between Mariposa Reina and the Gaviota State Roadside Rest Area was finished in late June, reopening both lanes to traffic, according to Caltrans District 5 spokesman Jim Shivers.
The project realigned the northbound compound curve with a single-radius curve, and also widened the roadway shoulders, made improvements to the median barrier and culverts, according to Caltrans.
The safety project aimed to improve a space where numerous crashes have been reported over the years.
“This new alignment will allow motorists to drive their vehicles more easily through this single curve, improving safety for everyone,” Caltrans District 5 director Tim Gubbins told Noozhawk.
“The collision rate at this location was five times higher than the statewide average for similar facilities.”
San Luis Obispo-based Souza Construction was the project contractor.
The realigned bend, which is located as drivers curve right toward the Gaviota tunnel, can be seen before and after the construction project in the Caltrans photos below.
— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
