Sandbags are piled up alongside flowing water at the location near U.S. 101 that is to be repaired.
Sandbags are currently piled up at the area set for repairs near U.S. 101. Credit: Courtesy photo

An emergency scour repair project will result in the closure of the No. 1 (left lane) on southbound U.S. 101 to just south of the Gaviota Tunnel beginning Tuesday, May 30.

The lane reduction will extend for about two miles starting just north of the U.S. 101/ State Route 1 Interchange.

The closure will allow crews to set temporary K-rail and install other traffic control devices to allow for work in the median to build a temporary lane. The work is expected to take three to five weeks.

By summer, traffic will shift into the temporary lane for about six months to allow for work on the pile wall on the slope adjacent to the highway. The emergency project will repair scour damage caused by the storms in January.

Electronic message boards will advise travelers of the lane closure and eventual traffic shift.

Contractor for the $15 million emergency project is CalPortland of Santa Maria. The project is expected to be complete in the fall.