Work crews began a year long project Nov. 12 to rehabilitate both the northbound and southbound Hwy. 101 Camp Roberts rest areas to comply with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and to provide the traveling public with a reliable, convenient, attractive and informative stopping opportunity.

These roadside rest areas are two mi. apart and are located on Hwy. 101 near the southern Monterey County line, 15 to 17 mi. north of Paso Robles and 34 to 36 mi. south of King City.

Both the northbound rest area near the East Garrison exit and the southbound rest area near the Bradley/Camp Roberts exit will be fully closed for the duration of the project. Work is expected to be complete by the end of December 2009, weather permitting.

The existing Camp Roberts Safety Roadside Rest Area (SRRA) is almost 40 years old and no longer adequately meets the needs of its more than 1.5 million annual users. It has become worn out, inefficient and costly to maintain.

Construction work includes demolition and replacement of existing buildings with new expanded restroom facilities, upgrades to accessible parking, new maintenance equipment storage buildings and a revitalized pedestrian core.

The southbound side also includes a small crew building for Caltrans maintenance personnel and sheltered workshop employees with a drop-in office for the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The project will repair and/or replace existing electrical, sewer and water systems. Site amenities include information kiosks, historic displays, picnic tables, benches, trash and recycling containers, lighting, pet areas and landscaping.

Message signs have been posted in both directions of Hwy. 101 to advise motorists of the closure.

The contractor for this $6 million safety project is Diani Building Corp from Santa Maria.

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