San Luis Obispo, CA — Drivers faced heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic on Highway 101 through San Luis Obispo on Monday morning after a lane closure reduced northbound travel to a single lane.
Lane Closure from Monterey Street to Stage Coach Road
According to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page, the center lane on northbound 101 was closed between Monterey Street and Stage Coach Road beginning around 10:15 a.m. The closure funneled traffic into just one lane, causing significant delays.
Caltrans crews were seen along the highway cleaning garbage from the median, repairing railing, and clearing weeds from drains as part of the maintenance work.
“We’re working as quickly as possible to complete the median cleaning and safety repairs,” a Caltrans worker told The Tribune. “We know this is a busy corridor and we appreciate drivers’ patience.”
Timeline of the Delay
At 12:35 p.m., Caltrans announced plans to pick up cones and reopen the lane by around 1:15 p.m. However, by 1:30 p.m., traffic on northbound 101 remained backed up as far as Los Osos Valley Road.
The congestion also spilled over into city streets connected to northbound off-ramps, with vehicles backed up end-to-end.
Impact on Commuters
For drivers navigating through San Luis Obispo, the delays added substantial time to morning and midday commutes. Some motorists reported being stuck in slow-moving traffic for more than 30 minutes.
Key details for drivers:
- Closure time: 10:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. (approximate)
- Work being done: Median cleaning, railing repair, drain clearing
- Backup length: Reached Los Osos Valley Road and filled adjacent streets
Looking Ahead
While Monday’s lane closure was a short-term disruption, Caltrans says periodic maintenance work is necessary to maintain roadway safety and prevent more severe closures in the future.
Motorists are encouraged to check CHP’s Traffic Incident Information Page or Caltrans QuickMap before heading out to avoid unexpected backups.
Have you been caught in Highway 101 traffic recently? Share your experience in the comments.
