A three-day pavement repair project is underway on the Cuesta Grade.
Caltrans says the work along Highway 101 is expected to last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Wednesday.
Slowed traffic was affecting drivers Monday heading into San Luis Obispo as the #3 lane of the grade was closed due to the work.
Crews are working to repair cracks along several sections of the road and are doing a “dig out” where they pave the road to prevent future water intrusion
Caltrans says they were aware of the cracks prior to the Jan. 9 storm, but added that repair work cannot be done in the rain.
Caltrans spokesperson Alexa Bertola says the cracks are not unusual, as distressed pavement comes up every so often.
She also said there’s a base under the asphalt that lays the foundation of the roadbed and sometimes there’s a material failure, which shows up as cracks.
Two other southbound lanes of the highway remain open but drivers should expect delays during the work, which is also addressing drains in the area near the Cuesta Grade.
The repairs are expected to cost around $388,000.
