Pitkin’s Curve – The California Department of Transportation is completing a bridge that juts out from the side of the cliffs, leaving the old highway to capture falling rocks.From:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/25/us/california-highway-1-to-open-tunnel-after-decades-of-debate.html?_r=0Pitkins Curve in a section aptly called Rain Rocks, Caltrans used to regularly shove fallen rocks into the ocean, said David Rasmussen, a Caltrans project manager.
After the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was created in 1992, Caltrans negotiated new standards, agreeing not to toss rocks and boulders overboard. Instead, drivers trucked them away, a costly effort, Mr. Rasmussen said.
Public meetings were attended by 60 “stakeholders,” Mr. Duffy said, including the Sierra Club, the California Coastal Commission, local restaurants and other businesses, and individuals representing groups concerned with protecting indigenous flowers, condors and sea otters.
Attendees suggested that the state consider a rock shed, which Mr. Duffy likened to an awning, shielding drivers from falling rock.
Contractors are now completing a tightrope of a bridge that swings over the ocean, leaving the old highway to capture falling rocks. Adjacent to it, they are building the inelegantly named Rock Shed.
With a slanting roof, the Rock Shed will allow tumbling rocks to continue their descent into the ocean.
Guided by residents, Caltrans designed an impressive-looking entry with faux keystone and real arches that resemble a Roman aqueduct.
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Picked up a stray rider (Red and black on right) from somewhere.
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Staining the concrete to look more natural
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Topic: MITM - San Simeon, CA Hwy-1 Ride November 2013 (Read 13867 times)