Carmel Valley Road work brings summer traffic controls

Drivers approaching Carmel from the east should plan for changing traffic controls as Monterey County resurfaces Carmel Valley Road. The county’s current traffic advisory says controls, alternate-route guidance and expected delays apply along the section from Carmel Rancho Boulevard to Rancho San Carlos Road.

The resurfacing project began June 29 and is scheduled through Oct. 31, 2026. The county’s formal project record describes the project limits as Carmel Rancho Boulevard to Via Petra, near Carmel-by-the-Sea. Because the traffic advisory and project record use different endpoint descriptions, travelers should rely on the current advisory for the location of active controls.

What drivers should expect

Monterey County Public Works lists daytime work from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and nighttime work from about 7:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. The advisory calls for traffic-control measures, alternate routes and delays. Conditions may vary by work area and time of day.

The county also listed pavement repair and temporary lane closures for July 16 and 17. Commuters, workers, residents and businesses that rely on Carmel Valley Road should follow posted signs and flagger instructions, allow additional travel time and check the county’s road advisory before traveling.

The county advisory lists a planned suspension of work, with work areas cleared, from Aug. 5 through Aug. 17 for the Monterey Car Week event. That is a scheduled construction pause, not a guarantee that traffic conditions elsewhere in the Carmel area will be unchanged.

Separate paving work inside Carmel-by-the-Sea

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s paving project is separate from the county road resurfacing. A city update dated July 2 scheduled micro-surfacing for July 6, with any unfinished work moving to July 7, on portions of Ocean Avenue, Monterey Street, Flanders Avenue, Vizcaino Avenue, Perry Newberry Way, Forest Road, Pine Ridge Way, Torres Street, Santa Rita Street and Dolores Street.

The city operation should not be confused with the county’s longer Carmel Valley Road project. The city update does not establish that the micro-surfacing remained active on July 29.

Why the distinction matters

For Carmel residents, employees, businesses and visitors, the projects involve different jurisdictions, road systems and schedules. County work affects the eastern approach along Carmel Valley Road, while the city project involved streets within Carmel-by-the-Sea. Travelers moving between Carmel, Carmel Valley and Highway 1 may encounter different controls depending on their route.

Allow extra time, watch for temporary lane assignments and avoid assuming that conditions will remain the same from one day to the next. Monterey County Public Works’ current road advisory is the primary source for changing lane-control details.

Sources

• Monterey County Public Works road traffic advisory
• City of Carmel-by-the-Sea paving project update
• KSBW report on Carmel Valley Road construction