A parking option for visitors wanting to pull over and get that selfie at Bixby Bridge is no longer available.
Starting this past Friday a new no parking rule took effect on Coast Road at Bixby Bridge along Highway 1 and will remain in effect until further notice the County of Monterey announced.
This week, county contractors installed K-rails and no parking signs along Coast Road, often referred to as Old Coast Road, to prevent parking. It’s an unpaved, single-lane road and residents who live in the area along with first responders have said for years that the area has been impacted by parked cars blocking access. Those cars often belong to tourists looking to make a short visit to Bixby, where parking is extremely limited.
Visitors will only be allowed to stop in designated areas along the scenic highway.
The no parking rule is being put into place to help improve traffic safety and was done in coordination with Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol.
“An increasing number of visitors and motorists are parking along the highway and on side roads creating dangers,” Nicholas Pasculli, the county’s communications bureau director said in a press statement. “This has become an even bigger problem with the Rocky Creek repair and signal system project.”
Part of Highway 1 just north of Bixby Bridge crumbled into the ocean last spring during a rainstorm. Traffic restrictions have been in place since then as repairs are being made.
As the no parking rule goes into effect, California Highway Patrol officers will be working to educate motorists and ask those who do park illegally to move. Cars that are not moved will be ticketed and then may be towed.
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