Drivers To Muir Beach Remove Detour Barriers Along Hwy 1 Putting Themselves In Danger
MARIN COUNTY (CBS SF) -- Caltrans said a portion of Highway 1 in Marin County that was washed out by the December storms won't be repaired for some time. But the California Highway Patrol said drivers headed to and from Muir Beach have taken it upon themselves to move some of the barricades and drive past the closure, putting themselves at risk.
"Basically, if you come across the closure, don't go around it," CHP spokesman Andrew Barclay told KCBS.
But people headed to and from Muir Beach are doing just that, physically moving barriers where a 60-foot section Highway 1 partially collapsed.
"In this portion where the road is washed out, it's not just a little hill—this is down the side of a cliff. So if this road were to collapse, this could be very dangerous to anybody who decides to just drive out there," Barclay said.
The closure has caused another problem—the detour to Muir Beach is a long, windy road that can add up to 30 minutes to the trip. Adding to the inconvenience, a portion of Frank Valley Road, to which it connects, is often reduced to one lane.
It's universally agreed upon that the situation is a mess but Barclay said that travelers should not ride through the Highway 1 closure.
"If the road is closed; don't try to drive through; go the detour route. It may take you a little bit longer but at least you'll get there safely," he said.
Meanwhile, Caltrans is working to come up with a more robust Highway barrier but Highway 1, itself, may not be repaired until later this spring.
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