Monterey-Salinas Transit reopened the main entrance to the Sand Dollar Shopping Center Thursday, Sept. 24 after closing it to replace the asphalt ahead of the installation of traffic lights in 2027.
Drivers and bus riders can now resume regular access to the Sand City shopping center and transit stops. The upgrade occurred at the southernmost point of the SURF! Busway project, which seeks to create dedicated bus lanes and faster and more frequent bus transportation between Salinas and Monterey Bay.
According to Lisa Rheinheimer, deputy CEO of MST, the main change was that they leveled out the street and placed new asphalt.
The traffic light connection will not be installed until 2027, which would assist buses to come off the dedicated bus lanes and enter traffic going toward Downtown Monterey.
The closure of the intersection of Playa Avenue between Del Monte Boulevard and California Avenue lasted from Sunday, Sept. 20 through Thursday, Sept. 24, according to an MST announcement. Alternative entrances were open to the shopping center throughout the closure on Playa Avenue.
At least one sidewalk remained open at any point through the closure, the announcement said.
The Sand City bus station was closed to bus lines Jazz A/B, 17, 18, 94, 20, prompting riders to go to adjacent bus stops.