Ground Breaks on Hwy 1 Project Between 41st Ave. and Soquel Ave.

An ambitious project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements between the 41st Avenue and Soquel Avenue/Drive interchanges and construct a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer Avenue, broke ground this week.

The auxiliary lanes will connect the on-ramps with the next off-ramp, thereby extending the weaving and merging distance between the ramps, improving traffic operations, and reducing cut-through traffic diverting to local streets and neighborhoods.

The bicycle/pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer Avenue will provide an alternative route for bicyclists and pedestrians currently using the Soquel or 41st interchanges to cross over Highway 1. The overcrossing will be lighted, 12- to 14-feet wide, and will incorporate aesthetic treatments consistent with the visual character of the corridor and the adjacent community.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is leading the delivery of this project in partnership with Caltrans, the County of Santa Cruz, City of Capitola, and the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District. Measure D-Highway Corridor funds and other RTC discretionary funds were used to complete the work necessary to ready the project for construction, and as a match for SB1 construction grants.

Overnight lane closures are expected to begin as soon as Sunday April 30. Occasional daytime shoulder closures may occur throughout the length of the project.

The contractor for this $29 million project is Granite Construction of Watsonville, CA.

This project is expected to be completed in late 2025.

Road information and updates can also be found on the RTC website and social media platforms: Twitter at: @santacruzrtc, Facebook at: Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), and Instagram at: SCCRTC, and at Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.