US-101 / San Juan Rd - Aromas, CA

[KEK Inc.]

I noticed that the new San Juan Rd/US-101 interchange near Prunedale is live on GSV.

https://www.google.com/maps/@36.859909,-121.604194,3a,71y,285.96h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1stiXDrAMQtlfWSH6ePqnrmw!2e0

Exit Gore sign (MUTCD style too):
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.860445,-121.622752,3a,18.9y,230.9h,87.35t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sGMnCJH2lmFpjYxs8mmPjvA!2e0
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.85541,-121.63342,3a,22.9y,72.76h,88.9t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sfuOHTMSGA80ayHRojXx-QA!2e0

They're getting rid of the Cole Rd at-grade intersection:
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.860074,-121.621957,3a,48.8y,6.29h,84.02t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sGXgDLg152p9uz1RrqZoaDQ!2e0

Generally a modified pedstrian signal is used to indicate ramp meters in this part of California, but this is more MUTCD-compliant.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Aromas,+CA/@36.857201,-121.62747,3a,42.1y,201.05h,83.15t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sNCI0pvAS-fed6xxPAJS5Zg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x808e026dea32b319:0x70474dfe0823f10!6m1!1e1

A California Speed Limit sign that's not using E(M)?
https://www.google.com/maps/@36.859135,-121.625729,3a,22.4y,199.76h,84.27t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sXHjcKW0hXtHTd1GPjjT7mA!2e0

[TheStranger]

Thanks for the find!

Does this mean that the Prunedale section of 101/156 will be upgraded piecemeal to freeway standards (instead of being bypassed, as was planned 10 years ago)?

[KEK Inc.]

Possibly.  There's the one at-grade in the eucalyptus tree forest and Dumbarton Road (which intersects twice) and a few in Prunedale still.   Seems silly to reroute though.  Makes more sense to make a frontage road.

[jrouse]

Generally a modified pedstrian signal is used to indicate ramp meters in this part of California, but this is more MUTCD-compliant.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Aromas,+CA/@36.857201,-121.62747,3a,42.1y,201.05h,83.15t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sNCI0pvAS-fed6xxPAJS5Zg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x808e026dea32b319:0x70474dfe0823f10!6m1!1e1

Not to get too off topic here but the modified pedestrian signal head with the "METER ON" message will be going away.  It was not MUTCD compliant and although Caltrans tried to come up with modifications to make it more compliant, they could never get FHWA to buy off on it.  So the federal standard sign and flashing beacon will be used instead.


iPhone

[roadfro]

Generally a modified pedstrian signal is used to indicate ramp meters in this part of California, but this is more MUTCD-compliant.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Aromas,+CA/@36.857201,-121.62747,3a,42.1y,201.05h,83.15t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sNCI0pvAS-fed6xxPAJS5Zg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x808e026dea32b319:0x70474dfe0823f10!6m1!1e1

Not to get too off topic here but the modified pedestrian signal head with the "METER ON" message will be going away.  It was not MUTCD compliant and although Caltrans tried to come up with modifications to make it more compliant, they could never get FHWA to buy off on it.  So the federal standard sign and flashing beacon will be used instead.


iPhone

Nevada DOT has been using a modified pedestrian signal head unit to display a "Meter On" message, similar to Caltrans, since first installing ramp meters about 10 years ago.

Some of the more recent ramp meter installations in the Las Vegas area have used both the pedestrian-style signal heads and the 2009 MUTCD standard sign and beacon. I get the sense that NDOT and/or the RTC, which operates the signals and ramp meters in the Vegas area, would rather use the ped-head style warning devices but install both for compliance purposes (Nevada adopts the national MUTCD with no state version/supplement).

[Desert Man]

I've been through Prunedale between Salinas and San Benito county towards Gilroy, esp. my wife's family lives there. Good to find an article about the general area, esp. the US 101 which is a regular road in Prunedale before turning back into a freeway.