Unexpected Road Work in SoHum Backs Up Traffic; Delays Expected for the Next Week and a Half

Stock photo of Humboldt County Department of Public Works road crew  at work. 

Drivers inching across the Bluffs between Redway and Garberville this Tuesday afternoon got an early reminder of how quickly road work can ripple through a small community.

By about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, traffic was backed up along Redwood Drive as Humboldt County Public Works crews worked on preparations tied to an unexpectedly accelerated slurry seal project on the Bluffs between Garberville and Redway.

Denton Carrick, Southern Humboldt road supervisor for Humboldt County Public Works, told Redheaded Blackbelt the project timeline changed suddenly when the contractor called and said the work needed to move up several weeks earlier than expected.

“It was supposed to start in four weeks so we would have time to send out notices,” Carrick explained.

Instead, county crews are now scrambling to prepare the roadway ahead of the slurry seal work itself.

Carrick said drivers should expect delays not only on the Bluffs route but also on nearby roads. Melville Road, Church Street, Redwood Drive, Redway Drive and Bear Canyon Road are all scheduled for work

Carrick said delay times could vary significantly depending on the stage of work underway, but added that he plans to keep RHBB updated so residents can get advance notice whenever possible.

As of Tuesday evening, motorists were being urged to leave extra travel time through the area and expect intermittent slow-moving traffic while crews continue preparing for the upcoming work.

But the good news is…new tops to the roads!