THE LONGEST LEFT-TURN POCKET IN CALIFORNIA : THE SAN MIGUEL CANYON ROAD INTERCHANGE PROJECT

This article describes the recently completed San Miguel Canyon Road Interchange Project near Monterey, California, which replaces the longest left turn pocket in the state. The old turn pocket, almost half a kilometer long, held 60 cars whose drivers waited for up to 20 minutes to dash across U.S. 101 where southbound traffic races along at speeds in excess of 100 km/h. Due to the highly erosive soil and a very wet winter, the 19-month long project involved significant erosion control and slope stabilization processes, and changes to a drainage plan. The project also required informing travelers and businesses about detours, lane closures, and travel impediments.