Accident on Hwy 92 muddies impact of HMB’s emergency traffic measures

This morning, Half Moon Bay implemented a series of steps to improve the flow of traffic from the southbound Highway 1 to eastbound Highway 92. This morning’s commute seems to have been better until an accident on the 92 has confused the matter. The city has taken several steps to improve traffic flow at the crucial intersection:

• Changed the timing of traffic lights
• Eliminated left turns from westbound 92 onto Main Street
• Used barriers to keep cars from packing the frontage
• Patrolling Strawflower Village to keep commuters from trying to short-cut

One commuter told us he was surprised by how quickly he was able to get over the hill from Frenchman’s Creek, leaving at 7:10am.

However, an overturn on the westbound 92 and Skyline at 7:30am reduced the highway to a single lane for 30 minutes, backing up traffic well past El Granada yet again, and making it difficult to know how much the new traffic measures helped this morning.

UPDATE: Another reason for short-term optimism is that Coastside schools are closed next week for spring break, so traffic should be much better in the mornings. It will also give us an idea of how much the schools contribute to the morning traffic mess, which has been the subject of much speculation this week.  This morning, the school district and principals are meeting to discuss changes in hours and other mitigations if the closure of the Slide continues past next week.

Click to read the city’s release on its new traffic measures.

Attention Motorists

Alternate Traffic Patterns In Effect For Weekdays

During The Closure Of State Route 1 At Devil’s Slide

As a temporary solution to the traffic problems caused by closure of State Route 1 at Devil’s Slide, the City of Half Moon Bay has implemented traffic control measures to limit access to State Route 92 from Main Street.  The City and Caltrans believe that by making State Route 92 at Main Street free flowing for east and westbound traffic, the current traffic jams will be reduced.  The peak morning commute hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.  The peak evening commute hours are from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The following changes to the traffic pattern will be put in effect during weekday commute hours starting immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.

All through traffic on northbound Main Street at State Route 92 will be prohibited during major commute A.M. hours.  Drivers wishing to travel south on Main Street will be rerouted to State Route 1, then to Kelly Avenue for access to the downtown area.  Drivers wishing to access to the businesses on Main Street north of State Route 92 must use the intersection of State Route 1 and N. Main Street to do so.  All left turns from Main Street to State Route 92 will be prohibited during major A.M. commute hours.

During the morning commute hours, 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., no left turn will be allowed from westbound State Route 92 to southbound Main Street.  In addition, all eastbound traffic exiting the Strawflower Shopping Center next to the Burger King at the State Route 1 and 92 intersection will be rerouted to the Main Street exit at State Route 1 by US Bank.  Additionally, Caltrans is extending the timing of the left turn signal for southbound State Route 1 to eastbound 92 to move the largest number of vehicles through this intersection as possible during each cycle.  Also, Caltrans will phase the signals at State Route 1 and 92 with the signals at State Route 1 and Main Street.

At this time the evening commute turning movements have not been restricted.  However, the City and Caltrans may provide barricades to restrict certain turning movements if the traffic conditions and actions require the installation of the barricades at anytime.

Please direct questions to the City of Half Moon Bay at (650) 726-8260 or 726-8270.

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