Mussel Shoals Residents Worry About Highway 101 Offramp, Beachside Bicyclists

Most people think the recent expansion of Highway 101 and newly built bike path and metal barrier that parallel the ocean past La Conchita are major improvements.

But residents living in the beachside community of Mussel Shoals beg to differ.

A group of locals met with Caltrans and California Highway Patrol officials Friday morning over concerns about the design of the intersection off the highway at Old Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

Residents Robert “RB” Brunner, who has lived in the community for 42 years, and Jeanette Longwill pointed out some of the dangers they see daily.

“It’s a design flaw by Caltrans,” said Brunner. “And the danger is the bicyclists are not stopping at the stop sign.”

Longwill said she often sees bicyclists blow through the stop signs, have near-misses with large oil and delivery trucks heading to nearby businesses, and was yelled at for walking on the path, even though it is also open to pedestrians.

Brunner cites dangers that make it difficult, if not impossible, for drivers and bicyclists to see each other. They include the height of the sound walls, elevated bike lanes, crash barriers and the “blind intersection” leading into and out of Mussel Shoals.

Brunner likens the scenario to Russian roulette.

“Well, it is. It’s gonna happen,” said Brunner. “There is going to be an injury out here. It’s just a matter of time. Or a death — we don’t want to see that.”

“We’re hoping the signage might change a little,” said Longwill. “It’s confusing .. do not enter/wrong way and freeway entrance right next to each other.”

Residents say possible solutions include a tunnel for bicyclists or an overpass.