(a) Route 146 is from:

(1) Route 101 near Soledad to Pinnacles National Monument.

(2) Pinnacles National Monument to Route 25 in Bear Valley.

(b) The relinquished former portion of Route 146 within the City of Soledad is not a state highway and is not eligible for adoption under Section 81. For the relinquished former portion of Route 146, the City of Soledad shall maintain within its jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 146 until the entire route has been relinquished and shall ensure the continuity of traffic flow on the relinquished portion of Route 146, including any traffic signal progression.

(1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the commission may relinquish to the County of Monterey the portion of Route 146 within the limits of that county, upon terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state.

(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the commission may relinquish to the County of San Benito the portion of Route 146 within the limits of that county, upon terms and conditions the commission finds to be in the best interests of the state.

(3) A relinquishment under this subdivision shall become effective immediately after the county recorder records the relinquishment resolution that contains the commission’s approval of the terms and conditions of the relinquishment.

(4) On and after the effective date of the relinquishment, that portion of Route 146 relinquished shall cease to be a state highway and may not be considered for future adoption under Section 81.

(5) For portions of Route 146 relinquished under this subdivision, the Counties of Monterey and San Benito shall maintain within their jurisdiction signs directing motorists to the continuation of Route 146 until the entire route has been relinquished.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 769, Sec. 27. (AB 2679) Effective January 1, 2013.)