Capitola Avenue Overcrossing Opens, Delivering New Multimodal Connection Across Highway 1

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), in partnership with Caltrans and local agencies, is pleased to announce the new Capitola Avenue Overcrossing at Highway 1 opened to the public today. This vital new crossing is the first completed component of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes and Bus-on-Shoulder Project between Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive project.

“The opening of the Capitola Avenue Overcrossing is an exciting milestone for our community and a tangible example of how we are investing in a safer, more connected, and more multimodal transportation network,” said RTC Chair Eduardo Montesino. “The new bridge will improve everyday travel today while supporting long-term connectivity to future projects. It’s an investment in how our community moves now and in the decades ahead.”

The new Capitola Avenue Overcrossing replaces the aging former structure and provides significantly enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities, creating a safe and accessible crossing for people walking and biking while maintaining vehicle access across the highway. It improves connectivity between Soquel Drive to the north and the future Coastal Rail Trail to the south, linking neighborhoods, schools, parks, beaches, transit, and nearby commercial centers.

“This new overcrossing represents a significant step forward in improving safety and mobility for residents of all ages and abilities to move through our community whether they are walking, biking, driving or taking transit,” said Santa Cruz County Supervisor and RTC Commissioner Kim De Serpa. “It’s exactly the kind of multimodal infrastructure that supports a healthier, more connected Santa Cruz County.”

In addition to the Capitola Avenue Overcrossing, the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes and Bus-on-Shoulder Project between Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive is constructing northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements, and a bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing of Highway 1 at Mar Vista Avenue. This section of Highway 1 is one of the busiest in Santa Cruz County, serving Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, and Cabrillo College. The auxiliary lanes will improve traffic flow, extend weaving and merging distances, and reduce cut-through traffic on local streets and neighborhood roads.

Construction on the overall corridor project is ongoing and is expected to be completed in late 2026.

The RTC is leading project delivery in partnership with Caltrans, the County of Santa Cruz, the City of Capitola, and the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District. Construction is funded through a combination of Measure D and Senate Bill 1 state transportation funds.

Ribbon Cutting Invitation

The community is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration for the Capitola Avenue Overcrossing on Feb. 26, from 4:00-5:00 p.m., at 911 Capitola Avenue. More information will be posted on the RTC website soon.