San Lucas U.S. 101 Reconstruction Shifted Toward 2031: State Plans 24 Lane-Miles of Pavement, Signs and Guardrails

SAN LUCAS, Monterey County — October 29, 2026. Residents along U.S. Highway 101 near San Lucas should distinguish current roadside maintenance from a much larger highway-reconstruction project that remains years away. California’s 2026 State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) lists project 05-1M430 / PPNO 3014 for approximately 24 lane-miles of highway pavement and safety improvements between Rancho Undercrossing and a point about 0.4 mile south of Wild Horse Road.

What does the San Lucas project include?

The state describes reconstructing worn pavement on the highway segment, replacing aging sign panels and upgrading guardrails. The design purpose is to extend roadway service life and improve safety where truck traffic and local vehicles use the same U.S. 101 corridor. The project’s measured output is 24 lane-miles, not a promise that 24 miles of separate two-lane road will be newly built.

Construction date: the newer schedule is important

An older project briefing anticipated construction beginning in 2027, but that is outdated. Caltrans’ 2026 SHOPP program lists the project in the 2031–32 program year and gives a proposed April 14, 2031 construction start. Earlier program reporting explained that the project was delayed as highway funding plans were rebalanced. A proposed funding-program milestone can change again with design, right-of-way and budget approvals; it is not a guaranteed work-zone start.

How much money is being considered?

The 2026 SHOPP list estimates a total project cost of about $95.2 million, consisting of construction, support and other programming components. The report expressly marks certain construction funding phases as not yet authorized. The estimate is therefore not an awarded construction contract or money already spent in San Lucas.

What this means for current drivers

No 2031 construction restrictions should be described as active today. Separate 2026 U.S. 101 culvert and lane-maintenance projects may cause temporary closures near San Lucas, but they are different contract scopes. Motorists should consult Caltrans QuickMap for current lane conditions, rather than infer a present closure from this future rehabilitation plan.

Primary source: California Department of Transportation, 2026 SHOPP combined list, Monterey County Route 101 project 1M430 (PDF). Check Caltrans District 5’s project updates for revised schedules.

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