State Route 68

Click here for a key to the symbols used. An explanation of acronyms may be found at the bottom of the page.

Routing

1. (a) (1) From Asilomar State Beach to Route 1.

   (b) (1) Upon a determination by the commission that it is in the best interests of the state to do so, the commission may, upon terms and conditions approved by it, relinquish to the City of Pacific Grove or the County of Monterey the portion of Route 68 described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) located within the jurisdiction of the city or the unincorporated area of the county, respectively, if the department and the city or county enter into an agreement providing for that relinquishment.

   (2) A relinquishment under this subdivision shall become effective immediately following the county recorder’s recordation of the relinquishment resolution concerning the commission’s approval of the terms and conditions of the relinquishment.

   (3) On and after the effective date of the relinquishment, both of the following shall occur:

   (A) The portion of Route 68 relinquished under this subdivision shall cease to be a state highway.

   (B) The portion of Route 68 relinquished under this subdivision shall be ineligible for future adoption under Section 81.

   (4) The city or county shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished former portion of Route 68 within its jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, any traffic signal progression.

   (5) The city or county shall maintain signs on the relinquished former portion of Route 68 within its jurisdiction directing motorists to the continuation of Route 68.

   Post 1964 Signage History

   As defined in 1963, this segment ran from "Asilomar Beach State Park to Route 1"

   In 1992, Chapter 1243 changed "Beach State Park" to "State Beach"

   In 2013, Chapter 525 (SB 788, 10/9/13) added section (b) permitting relinquishment of segment (1) in the City of Pacific Grove or the County of Monterey.

   Pre 1964 Signage History

   This segment was LRN 262, defined in 1959. It was not signed as part of the initial 1934 state signing. It was also not part of the 1961 definition of state sign Route 68. In late 1964, the CHC adopted 4.1 miles of local roads and streets in the Monterey-Pacific Grove area as a new section of Route 68, extending between Route 1 at the Carmel Hill Interchange and Asilomar Beach State Park.

   The route ends at Asilomar State Beach, which is part of the Asilomar Conference Center. This center was built in 1913 by the YWCA, and was deeded to the State of California Park System in 1956.

   Tom Fearer over on the Gribblenation Blog investigated the history of LRN 117, and noted the following:

   • By 1960, LRN 262 is shown as a stub west of Route 1 near Pebble Beach. The stub is very short and appears to not traverse very far west of Route 1.
   • By 1964, LRN 117 and LRN 262 are reassigned as Route 68 during the state highway renumbering. Route 68 remains signed only between Salinas to Monterey.
   • By 1966, LRN 68 is extended west to Asilomar Avenue but does not appear to have been signed as Route 68.

   Status

   Collision Severity Reduction program project (PPNO 2378) on Route 68 (05-Mon-68 1.6/L4.02)

   In June 2018, the CTC approved a request for an additional $383,300 in Capital Outlay Support (Support Cost) for the State Highway Operation Protection Program (SHOPP) Collision Severity Reduction program project (PPNO 2378) on Route 68, in Monterey County for a revised amount of $1,476,300. The project is located in Monterey County, on Route 68 from south of Piedmont Avenue to the Scenic Drive Overcrossing (Bridge No. 44-0041), in and near Pacific Grove. The project will improve the safety and operation of Route 68 at various locations in Monterey County. The scope of work for this project includes shoulder widening, installation of rumble strips, drainage improvements, retaining wall, pavement restriping, improvements to signage, the upgrading of existing guardrail systems and the placement of tapered edge with shoulder backing. In addition, where possible, 5 and 8 foot outside shoulders will be constructed to provide safer bicycle travel. The reason for the cost increase request is that, during the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED) phase, the Department assumed that a telecommunications utility vault next to the existing bridge columns would be relocated by the utility owner under the Pacific Grove centerline rumble strip project (PPNO 2604); which is within the same project limits and would start construction prior to this contract. However, the project (PPNO 2604) later deferred the utility vault relocation to this project and was not discovered until PS&E that the utility vault contains a significant amount of fiber optic cables that could not be cut and spliced. The relocation of the telecommunications utility vault would increase the project capital costs by an estimated $1,000,000, and required conductors to be as long as 9,000 linear feet, and caused service disruptions to local government, businesses, and residents. The Department decided to redesign the concrete barrier rail in front of the existing bridge columns, allowing for the utility vault to stay in place and maintain access through the existing manhole. This resulted in unanticipated design changes, which included the adjustment and replacement of drainage facilities. Around the utility vault, there is a deep gully leading to an existing drainage inlet. In order to accommodate the concrete barrier redesign around the utility vault, a drainage inlet was modified, the shoulder to the uphill slope was widened, and runoff was channeled by installation of a dike. The amount expended for the re-design of the concrete barrier and drainage change was $165,000. The Department received a design exception for corner sight distance in the PA&ED phase. However during PS&E, a property owner near an intersection on Route 68, within the project limits, contacted the Department’s Maintenance staff via phone call regarding corner sight distance concerns. This location was reinvestigated and the Department determined that a design change to slightly modify both legs of the intersection, removal of three trees, and grading of the hillside was required to improve corner sight distance. In addition, to address the corner site distance, a minor shoulder widening was required for 200 feet to capture runoff toward a new drainage inlet. The corner sight distance improvements also required the evaluation for tree removal, and design and landscape architecture efforts to determine the plant mitigation of 30 tree plantings within the Department’s right of way. The amount expended for the corner site distance improvement was $99,000. This request also includes the remaining work in the PS&E phase to allow the Department to bring the project to RTL and to complete work to advertise, award, and approve the contract, including contractor outreach, bidder inquiries, and preparation of work for the begin of the construction phase. The estimated support costs for the remaining work is $119,300.
   (Source: June 2018 CTC Minutes, Agenda Item 2.5e(2))

   In January 2019, the CTC approved a request for an additional $952,000 for the State Highway Operation Protection Program (SHOPP) Collision Severity Reduction project (PPNO 2378) on State Route (SR) 68, in Monterey County, to award the construction contract. The reason for the cost increase was that the Engineers' Estimate from June undervalued costs in three areas: the concrete barrier, the costs for night work in a limited area, and the construction market.
   (Source: January 2019 CTC Minutes, Agenda Item 2.5e(1))

   Roadway Improvements - Skyline Forest Dr to Rte 1

   In August 2018, the CTC added the following project into the 2018 SHOPP: 05-Mon-68 3.4/3.8 PPNO 2742, Project 0517000113, EA 1J460 Route 68 Near Pacific Grove, from Skyline Forest Drive to west of Route 1; also from Haul Road to west of Skyline Forest Drive (PM 2.7/3.2). Increase safety by improving roadway cross slope at curve, sight distance, widen shoulders, install rumble strip, tapered edge treatment and construct drainage improvements. Expected cost: $12,427,000 Construction begins 1/24/2023.
   (Source: August 2018 CTC Agenda Item 2.1a.(1))

   The 2020 SHOPP, approved in May 2020, included the following Collision Reduction item of interest (carried over from the 2018 SHOPP): 05-Monterey-68 PM 3.4/3.8 PPNO 2742 Proj ID 0517000113 EA 1J460. Route 68 near Pacific Grove, from Skyline Forest Drive to west of Route 1; also from Haul Road to west of Skyline Forest Drive (PM 2.7/3.2). Increase safety by improving roadway cross slope at curve, sight distance, widen shoulders, install rumble strip, tapered edge treatment and construct drainage improvements. Programmed in FY21-22, with construction scheduled to start at the end of January 2023. Total project cost is $12,427K, with $7,280K being capital (const and right of way) and $5,147K being support (engineering, environmental, etc.).
   (Source: 2020 Approved SHOPP a/o May 2020)

   In December 2020, the CTC approved the following SHOPP Support Phase allocation: $1,891,000 ($2,053,000 programmed) for PS&E and $328,000 ($356,000 programmed) for R/W Sup for 05-Mon-68 PM 3.4/3.8. PPNO 05-2742 ProjID 0517000113 EA 1J460. Route 68 Near Pacific Grove, from Skyline Forest Drive to west of Route 1; also from Haul Road to west of Skyline Forest Drive (PM 2.7/3.2).  Increase safety by improving roadway cross slope at curve, sight distance, widen shoulders, install rumble strip, tapered edge treatment and construct drainage improvements.
   (Source: December 2020 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.5b.(2a) #14)

   In January 2021, the CTC approved the following SHOPP amendment: (1b) #10. 05-Mon-68 3.4/3.8 PPNO 2742 ProjID 0517000113 EA 1J460. Route 68 Near Pacific Grove, from Skyline Forest Drive to west of Route 1; also from Haul Road to west of Skyline Forest Drive (PM 2.7/3.2). Increase safety by improving roadway cross slope at curve, sight distance, widen shoulders, install rumble strip, tapered edge treatment and construct drainage improvements. It has been determined that construction of a planned retaining wall will not be needed.  This change resulted in a decrease to construction support with less working days, a decrease in required right of way capital, and a decrease in construction capital. The project was reduced from a total of $12,427K to $8,515K.
   (Source: January 2021 CTC Agenda, Agenda Item 2.1a.(1b) #10)

   Holman Roundabout Interchange Improvements (~ MON L4.214)

   In July 2005, the CTC considered funding to widen from 2 lanes to 4 lanes and improve intersection on Route 68 west of Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula entrance to Route 1/Route 68 Junction.

   In June 2009, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project that will widen and upgrade Route 68 from just west of the Community Hospital of Monterey entrance to the Route 1/Route 68 interchange. The project is not fully funded. The project is programmed in the 2008 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for $100,000 for right of way. The project is proposed to be funded primarily by private development sources, the City of Monterey, and future Transportation Agency for Monterey County STIP shares. The total estimated cost is $21,170,000, capital and support. Depending on the availability of funding, construction is estimated to begin in Fiscal Year 2010-11.

   In January 2018, it was reported that a ribbon-cutting ceremony occured for the completion of the Holman Highway 68 Roundabout Project was held on Thursday, October 12, 2017. Elected officials, community members and representatives from the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, Caltrans, Harris & Associates, Granite Construction, Pebble Beach Company, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, gathered on the sidewalk near the roundabout to celebrate the occasion. The project which was a public-private partnership between the City of Monterey, City of Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach Company, the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, the County of Monterey, Caltrans and TAMC was designed to relieve congestion near the Route 68/Route 1 intersection and improve access to the Community Hospital, Pacific Grove, Monterey and Pebble Beach. It is the first highway to highway roundabout in Monterey County.
   (Source: Transporation Agency for Monterey County, January 2018)

   David Markowitz reported an interesting mis-signage on Route 68. Apparently, either a contractor or a guerilla art project has put up a "Historic Route 68" sign...with the wrong shield, on a segment that has never been authorized for historic signing. It is unclear where the sign came from.

   Naming

   This segment (~ MON 0.0 to MON 4.166) is named "W. R. Holman Highway". Named in honor of Wilford Rensselaer Holman. Holman was the son of Rensselaer Luther Holman, who was born in Underhill, Vermont, and first came to California around the Horn in 1850. He had developed a hardware and implement business in Sacramento but in 1886 he moved to Pacific Grove where, in 1891 in company with G. W, Towle, he developed a department store which later, under the ownership of Holman's sons, Wilford and Clarence, became Holman's Department Store. In 1985 the store was purchased by a Watsonville department store and today is known as Ford's of Monterey Bay. W. R. Holman also became know for his interest in holly. At Holly Hills Ranch, near Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, he turned his hobby into the largest single planting of holly in the world. He was born August 28, 1884, and died December 1981. Holman married Zena Patrick in 1912; she died in 1980. The highway was named in 1976. As for the road itself, Holman and Julia Platt were largely responsible for advocating the creation of a new road to improve travel between Carmel and Pacific Grove. The highway had other names such as the Pacific Grove 'cut off' or the "Carmel Cut-Off".
   (Source: Monterey/Carmel Historical Society; Image source: AAroads, Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library)

   The portion of Route 68 located between Morse Drive (MON 2.26) and Skyline Forest Drive (MON 3.37) in the County of Monterey is named the “Army Specialist Roger Lee Memorial Highway”. It was named in memory of United States Army Specialist Roger Lee of Monterey, California, who was killed in action on July 6, 2010, along with two others in an attack on their vehicle by insurgents with an improvised explosive device in Qalat, Afghanistan. Lee was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, based in Hohenfels, Germany, and deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Lee was a native of Monterey, California, and graduated from Monterey High School. Before joining the United States Army, Lee worked as an automobile mechanic and lived on the central coast. Named by Assembly Resolution ACR 203, Res. Chapter 166, 08/30/22.
   (Image source: IraqWarHeroes)

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2. (a) (2) From Monterey to Route 101 in Salinas.

   Post 1964 Signage History

   As defined in 1963, this segment ran to "Route 101 near Salinas". In 1992, Chapter 1243 changed "near Salinas" to "in Salinas"

   This is constructed to freeway standards for 2 miles either direction from the Salinas River Bridge south of Salinas. The original plan was to construct a freeway alignment bypassing Salinas to the west, then rejoining the current Route 68 alignment (Main Street) at Hunters Lane. The routing would have involved a split with the US 101 freeway one mile northwest of the current Main Street (Business Route 101/Route 183) interchange, close to the current Laurel Drive/Davis Road interchange. Route 68 would have continued south on Davis Road past Blanco Road, at which point it would turn southeast to meet up with Main Street, then continue southwest on Main Street from Hunters Lane to the current freeway alignment. Two vestiges of this planned routing remain in Salinas:

   1. The intersection of Davis Road (planned Route 68 corridor) and Market Street is now a grade-seperated interchange, and Davis Road was extended on the planned Route 68 corridor north from Market Street to the US 101 freeway (at the time of this plan (1962), Davis Street ended at Market Street and did not go further north).
   2. The original Route 68 bridge over the Salinas River in Spreckels, connecting Spreckels Boulevard with Hilltown Road, was removed; as a result of freeway construction, River Road was realigned to meet up at Route 68's interchange with Reservation Road (the original terminus for this route adoption; the freeway eventually was constructed a bit further southwest as well).

   In 1974, the CHC declared its intention to rescind the freeway adoption of Route 68: a 5.4 mi segment from Foster Road to US 101 near Salinas.
   (Source: The Californian, 9/23/1974 via Joel Windmiller, 2/25/2023)

   According to Sean Torgson, the sign bridges on US 101 in Salinas, before the Route 68 exit, have an off-centered control destination that reads 'Monterey Pennisula'. In one case it looks as if a potential Route 68 shield is covered up w/ a 'RAMP 25 MPH' sign. He speculates that this to directly connect to a Route 68 freeway, but since it wasn't constructed, they left the shields off.

   Pre 1964 Signage History

   This route was LRN 117, defined in 1933. It was not signed as part of the initial 1934 state signing. Sign Route 68 was defined by the CHC in 1961. Tom Fearer over on the Gribblenation Blog investigated the history of LRN 117, and noted the following:

   • On the 1935 County Highway Map of Monterey County, LRN 117 appears enter the city along the modern route and likely used Fremont Street to Meet Route 1, which would have probably been on Del Monte Avenue.
   • By 1942, LRN 117 seems to have been pushed back off of Fremont as Route 1 seems to have assumed the alignment through Monterey. This makes sense since parts of Fremont Street are signed as Business Route 1.
   • By 1961, LRN 117 became signed as Route 68.
   • By 1964, LRN 117 is reassigned as Route 68 during the state highway renumbering. Route 68 remains signed only between Salinas to Monterey.
   • By 1967 it appears that the small segment of Route 68 intersecting Route 1 became a freeway. I'm to understand that the freeway segment over the Salinas River became a freeway as well but the change does not appear until the 1969 state highway map. The Salinas River freeway segment appears to have replaced what is now Hilltown Road and Spreckels Lane. The previous bridge over the Salinas River was a truss design much like the San Lucas Bridge to the south.

   Status

   In August 2011, the CTC approved $3,478,000 in SHOPP funding for repairs near the city of Monterey, from Route 1 to 0.3 mile west of Laureless Grade (~ MON R4.000 to MON 10.917), that will rehabilitate 13.7 lane miles of roadway to improve the ride quality and prevent further deterioration of the road surface.

   Route 68 Corridor Improvement Project: Monterey/Josselyn Canyon to Salinas/Spreckels Blvd (05-Mon-68 PM 4.8/13.7)

   The 2018 STIP, approved at the CTC March 2018 meeting, appears to allocate $8,400K for PPNO 1790, Rt 68 Op Improvements,Josselyn Cnyn-Spreckels Blvd, ~ MON 5.227 to MON R18.077.

   In October 2019, it was reported that Caltrans has released details on a Route 68 Corridor Improvement Project: specifically, Caltrans is exploring the possibility of placing one or multiple roundabouts at intersections between Josselyn Canyon Road (~ MON 5.224) and San Benancio Road (~ MON 13.323). There are potentially nine intersections impacted. The other possibility is simply improving on the lighted intersections already present on that stretch of the highway. The preference of residents is widening Route 68 or adding a lane through larger portions of the road. Caltrans is also looking into providing safe wildlife crossings along the highway. Estimated time period is 2023.
   (Source: 8">KION 5/46, 10/3/2019)

   In March 2020, the CTC approved the 2020 STIP, which adjusted the programmed funding and title of PPNO 1790 "Op Improvements, Josselyn Cnyn-Spreckels Blvd (tech change)" to "Op Improvements,Josselyn Cnyn-San Benancio Rd", with funding adjusted from $3,400K to $22,003K, with $18,603K of that funding programmed for FY22-23.
   (Source: March 2020 CTC Agenda, Item 4.7, 2020 STIP Adopted 3/25/2020)

   In July 2023, it was reported that Caltrans was holding an “open house” to provide the public with an update on the Route 68 Corridor Improvement Project. The Scenic Route 68 Corridor Improvement Project aims to improve safety for motorists and wildlife and improve traffic flow along about 10 miles of Route 68 between Monterey and Salinas. The Route 68 Scenic Highway Plan was funded with a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning Grant. It evaluates current and future travel patterns between Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula, the feasibility of affordable mid-term operational and capacity improvements in the Route 68 corridor in context to other planning regional improvements serving the same commute market and the potential for wildlife connectivity enhancements. Work on this plan started in December 2015 and was completed in August 2017. Its stated goals are to improve safety, access, operations and wildlife connectivity, while reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. The concept recommends converting 11 intersections to roundabout control between Salinas and Monterey, restricting left turns out of side streets and driveways to improve safety, improving access at the Laguna Seca and SPCA area via striping then roundabout access, evaluating widening between Corral de Tierra and San Benancio Road roundabouts, installing dynamic speed feedback signs and intersection warning signs and constructing wildlife connectivity improvements. Planning level cost estimates of the corridor concept is $48.22 million plus an additional $21.4 million for wildlife connectivity improvements.
   (Source: Monterey Herald, 7/17/2023)

   The project page for the project provides more information on the plans. Caltrans in partnership with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County proposes to improve intersection operations along Route 68 between Josselyn Canyon Road and San Benancio Road (post miles 4.8 -13.7) in order to reduce travel delays and vehicle collisions; and enhance wildlife connectivity to further reduce collisions between wildlife and vehicles.  Caltrans will be the lead agency and will prepare an environmental impact report for the project. The proposed project provides two build alternatives which would either covert intersections into roundabouts (Alternative 1) OR make modifications to the existing signalized intersection configuration (Alternative 2) at the following nine intersections. Each of the two proposed build alternatives also include wildlife crossing improvements to existing culverts at five locations to deter wildlife from entering Route 68.  A No-Build alternative will also be evaluated.
   (Source: Corridor Improvement Program Project Page, 9/10/2023)

   • Route 68/Josselyn Canyon Road (post mile 5.2)
   • Route 68/Olmsted Road (post mile 5.6)
   • Route 68/Route 218 Canyon del Rey Boulevard (post mile 6.8)
   • Route 68/Ragsdale Drive (post mile 7.0)
   • Route 68/York Road (post mile 8.2)
   • Route 68/Pasadera Drive (post mile 9.8)
   • Route 68/Laureles Grade (post mile 11.2)
   • Route 68/Corral de Tierra Road (post mile 12.9)
   • Route 68/San Benancio Road (post mile 13.3)

   The Estimated Project Timeline includes Public Scoping - October – November 2019; Draft Environmental Document (DED) release – Fall 2023; DED Public Hearing – Fall 2023; Approve Final Environmental Document – Summer 2024; Design and Permitting – 2024-2026; Right of way acquisitions and utilities initiated – Summer 2025; and the start of construction in Fall 2027.
   (Source: Corridor Improvement Program Project Page, 9/10/2023)

   Corral de Tierra Project (PM MON 12.8/13.2)

   In June 2013, the CTC approved delaying RIP funding for construction from FY 2013-14 to FY 2014-15 for the Route 68 Safety and Operations Corral de Tierra project (PPNO 1813A) in Monterey County. This project will construct turn lanes, shoulder widening and driveway realignment at the Corral de Tierra Road intersection. It is programmed with $1,700,000 of RIP funds for construction in FY 2013-14.

   In March 2016, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project that will construct turn lanes, merge lanes, and other improvements to the intersection of Route 68 and Corral de Tierra Road near the city of Salinas. The project is programmed in the State Transportation Improvement Program. The total estimated cost is $2,250,000 for capital and support. Construction is estimated to begin in Fiscal Year 2016-17. The scope, as described for the preferred alternative, is consistent with the project scope programmed by the Commission in the 2014 State Transportation Improvement Program. A copy of the MND has been provided to Commission staff. The project will result in less than significant impacts to the environment after mitigation. The following resource area may be impacted by the project: biological resources. Avoidance and minimization measures will reduce any potential effects on the environment. These measures include, but are not limited to, ESA fencing to be installed around sensitive areas, project area will be revegetated with native species, preconstruction surveys to be conducted for nesting birds and estivating California tiger salamanders, and loss of California tiger salamander habitat to be mitigated at a 1:1 ratio. As a result, an MND was completed for this project.

   In June 2017, the CTC approved delaying construction on this project until FY 2017-18 to 2018-19. The environmental document was completed in 2015, the design is 95 percent complete and right of way is nearly complete. There is currently a corridor study for Route 68 that encompasses this project. The study addresses the ultimate needs and improvements for the corridor. The county was successful in November 2016 in passage of a measure to fund transportation projects, which included $50 million for this project location. With the passage of the measure, there is the desire to delay the construction of the project to allow time to assess the study and determine if there is an opportunity for leveraging additional funds for ultimate improvements in the corridor. In order to review and consider the corridor study, the county along with TAMC are requesting to move construction. This change could further benefit the corridor by allowing the parties to consider options with the current project scope, as well as coordinate with the corridor study, and facilitating the potential to match funds and opportunities for enhancement for the ultimate improvements.

   The 2018 STIP, approved at the CTC March 2018 meeting, appears to delete $1,700K in funding from the Corral de Tierra Project. The project will improve safety and traffic flow at the Highway 68 and Corral De Tierra intersection by adding dual left turn lanes from westbound Hwy 68, adding a southbound merge lane and a northbound right turn lane on Corral De Tierra, and adding a fourth leg to the intersection.

   In July 2010, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding a project that will construct roadway improvements including intersection improvements and bridge widening at San Benancio Road (~ MON 13.289) near the city of Monterey. The project is programmed in the 2010 State Transportation Improvement Program and includes local funds. Construction is estimated to begin in Fiscal Year 2010-11. Total estimated project cost is $5,401,000 for capital and support.

   In October 2012, the CTC approved for future consideration of funding 05-Mon-68, PM 17.7/17.9 Route 68 Salinas River Bridge Widening Project. This project in Monterey County will bring the Salinas River Bridge up to current geometric and seismic standards by widening shoulders, adding approach and departure slabs, improving acceleration and weaving lane geometry, improving the bridge railing, seismically retrofitting the bridge, and providing maintenance access to the river bottom.

   In May 2015, it was reported that Caltrans has Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant funding to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County for its State Route 68 Corridor Plan, which will determine operational and capacity improvements affordable over the next 5 to 20 years that contribute to the long-range sustainability of Route 68.

   Naming

   The segment of Route 68 between Anza Drive in the County of Monterey and Blanco Road in the City of Salinas (~ MON 15.896 to MON 19.955) is officially named the "Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Highway." It was named in honor of the Esselen people, who have been indigenous to the Greater Monterey County area for more than 10,000 years.From their known ancestral tribal villages from the coast and inland, the Esselen people hunted, traded, and lived peacefully together, and are known today as the Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Nation. The Esselen people lived from Big Sur on the Pacific Coast to the Pajaro River to Fremont Peak to Salinas and the Pinnacles caves, across the fertile valley to Arroyo Seco, up to Monterey, Carmel, and back to Big Sur, where they built a vibrant, healthy, and culturally rich society. For generations, their ancestors maintained strong family and kinship ties through tribal and family gatherings, weddings, baptisms, funerals, and other family events. Their cultural ties have bound their tribe and families for generation after generation. Since the arrival of Europeans, California Indians have endured a long and well-documented history of change forced by assimilation and discrimination. The Esselen people were forced from their ancestral lands and into starvation and illness; to survive they hid in local mountains and canyons known today as Palo Colorado, Ventana Wilderness, Arroyo Seco, Tassajara, Pinnacles, Chualar Canyon, Prunedale Canyon, Corral de Tierra, Fort Ord, Santa Lucia, and El Portero. In 1883, the Esselen people were formally recognized by Special Agents Helen Hunt Jackson and Abbott Kinney of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and in 1906 were placed under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C., and became known as the Monterey Band of Monterey County specifically identifying Tom Santos Miranda and his family. Frequent communication was vital to tribal society. Esselen ancestors developed roads by following deer trails and creek beds from coastal villages to inland villages and families and their most used route is known today as Route 68. Route 68 was later used by Spaniards, Padre Junipero Serra, the Juan DeAnza Expedition, Los Californios, and most recently by tourists traveling from mission to mission, or to the Pebble Beach Golf Course, the racetrack located at Laguna Seca, and Fort Ord. Named by ACR 55, Res. Chapter 135, Statutes of 2013 on 09/27/13.
   (Image sources: Bicycling Monterey; Ohlone Costanoan Esselen Nation)

   Scenic Route

   [SHC 263.4] Entire portion.

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Pre-1964 Legislative Route

Acronyms and Explanations:

• "LRN" refers to the Pre-1964 Legislative Route Number. "US" refers to a US Shield signed route. "I" refers to an Eisenhower Interstate signed route. "Route" usually indicates a state shield signed route, but said route may be signed as US or I.
• Previous Federal Aid (pre-1992) categories: Federal Aid Interstate (FAI); Federal Aid Primary (FAP); Federal Aid Urban (FAU); and Federal Aid Secondary (FAS). Current Functional Classifications (used for aid purposes): Principal Arterial (PA); Minor Arterial (MA); Collector (Col); Rural Minor Collector/Local Road (RMC/LR). Note that ISTEA repealed the previous Federal-Aid System, effective in 1992, and established the functional classification system for all public roads.
• Other frequently used terms: California Transportation Commission (Commission or CTC), California Department of Transportation (Department or Caltrans), Regional Improvement Program (RIP), Interregional Improvement Program (IIP), State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP), Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP), Clean Air and Transportation Improvement Act of 1990 (Proposition 116), High Speed Passenger Train Bond Program (Proposition 1A), Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 (Proposition 1B), Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA), State Route 99 Bond Program (RTE or SR 99), Local Bridge Seismic Retrofit Account (LBSRA), Trade Corridors Improvement Fund (TCIF), Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Account (HRCSA), State-Local Partnership Program (SLPP), Environmental Phase (PA&ED), Design Phase (PS&E), Right of Way (R/W), Fiscal Year (FY), Active Transportation Program (ATP), Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP), Local Partnership Program (LPP), Local Streets and Roads Program (LSRP), Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SCCP).

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