New Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Opens Over Highway 1 at Chanticleer Avenue

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), in partnership with Caltrans and the County of Santa Cruz, is excited to announce the new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing over Highway 1 at Chanticleer Avenue opened to the public today. This vital new crossing is the final component of the larger Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane and Bus-on-Shoulder Project between 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive.

The lighted, 14-foot-wide overcrossing provides a safe and convenient alternative route for bicyclists and pedestrians currently using the Soquel or 41st interchanges to cross over Highway 1. It is also a critical link between neighborhoods, schools, parks, and community destinations for active transportation users.

“The opening of this bridge represents a major step forward in improving transportation safety, access, and equity in our community,” said RTC Executive Director Sarah Christensen. “This bridge provides a vital connection between people, neighborhoods, and opportunities.”

The overcrossing is the final component of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane and Bus-on-Shoulder Project between 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive to be completed. The auxiliary lanes 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 auxiliary lanes opened to vehicle traffic in April 2025.

The bus-on-shoulder facilities, the first dedicated bus-on-shoulder facility to be constructed in California, will increase transit frequency and on-time performance, while also providing high quality transportation choices to reduce countywide vehicle miles traveled. Santa Cruz METRO will begin using the bus-on-shoulder facilities when the second phase of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane and Bus-on-Shoulder Project between Bay/Porter to State Park Drive is completed in 2026.

These improvements will work together to reduce congestion, improve travel times, improve air quality, and support the mobility needs of low-income communities.

The $34 million construction component of the project was funded through a mix of local Measure D – Highway Corridor investments, RTC discretionary funds, and competitive Senate Bill 1 grants. Granite Construction of Watsonville served as the project’s contractor.

The community is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration for the completion of the project on July 30, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., at West Marine Center, 2450 17^th Ave., Santa Cruz. The event will take place in the upper parking lot next to the overcrossing. Parking is available at the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, 5200 Soquel Ave. Free bike valet will also be available.

For more information about this and other RTC projects, visit www.sccrtc.org.

About the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission: The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) delivers transportation solutions for a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable community. To receive regular information about RTC projects, please sign up here: http://sccrtc.org/about/esubscriptions/.