A Noozhawk reader has asked when the Gaviota rest areas will be open to the public again, since the anticipated April reopening date has come and gone. 

The rest areas are located on each side of Highway 101 just south of the Gaviota Tunnel, and they’ve been closed for construction since mid-2021.

Work is behind schedule, and the facilities are not expected to open until at least June, according to Caltrans.

A Caltrans contractor has been upgrading the wastewater treatment system at the facilities, which have restrooms for travelers. 

“A COVID outbreak among the construction workers and COVID-related supply chain issues/materials shortages are reasons the opening has been pushed back,” Caltrans District 5 spokesman Jim Shivers told Noozhawk.

The long-term closures at the Caltrans safety roadside rest areas in Gaviota and near Camp Roberts in southern Monterey County means there are currently no state rest areas available between Oceanside in San Diego County and Sausalito in Marin County.

— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.