The Highway 101 rest areas at the Gaviota Tunnel reopened on Dec. 22, eight months later than expected. 

“These facilities are used 24/7 by thousands of people, so major work needs to occur at some point. We are pleased that we could open for the holidays,” Caltrans public affairs manager Jim Shivers said.

The Gaviota rest areas closed in June 2021 for improvement projects on the site’s wastewater system, water storage tank/pump house and electrical system.

However, after early 2022 — Caltrans’ expected date of completion — the rest areas were still closed for construction.

“There were supply-chain issues in getting necessary materials to the construction site, and some workers became ill during roughly the same period,” Shivers said. 

According to Shivers, work was completed in the late summer of 2022. However, after a water pressure test that “did not meet a level to support the NB/SB rest areas,” the Caltrans program continued work. 

“We then had to install a brand-new water line system to alleviate this condition during the fall months,” Shivers said. “When installed, the pressure was sufficient, leading to the opening in December 2022.” 

The $5.5 million project is completed, and the Gaviota rest areas on the northbound and southbound sides of Highway 101 welcome travelers once again. 

The other Caltrans rest areas on the Central Coast, near Camp Roberts in Monterey County, have been closed since April. 

The Camp Roberts rest areas are estimated to reopen in February. 

— Angel Corzo is a Noozhawk contributing writer. Contact him at news@noozhawk.com.