Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane and Bus-on-Shoulder Project Construction Updates
The RTC is currently constructing two phases of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes and Bus-on-Shoulder project. Phase I from 41st Avenue to Soquel Drive, including a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer Avenue, began construction in early 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2025. Phase II from Bay Avenue/Porter Street to State Park Drive, including a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Mar Vista Drive and a replacement of the Capitola Avenue overcrossing, began construction in early 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2026.
Construction updates, including any road or highway closures or other activities that may impact traffic, will be posted weekly.
Phase 1: 41st Avenue to Soquel Drive
No closures at this time.
Phase 2: Bay/Porter to State Park Drive
Overnight Lane Closures Between Bay/Porter and State Park Dr. to Begin Sunday Sept. 29
Crews have advanced to a point in the project when they are ready to begin paving the center median area. This paving work will result in overnight closures of the #1 (left) lane in both directions of Hwy. 1 between Bay/Porter and State Park Dr.
Travelers will encounter an overnight closure of the #1 (left) lane in both the northbound and southbound direction of Hwy. 1 from 9 pm to 5 am. These closures will start Sunday Sept. 29, and continue for five consecutive nights. Once crews complete the last night of closures and reopen both lanes of travel on Friday Oct. 4, at 5 am, there will be no additional closures over the weekend.
Crews are scheduled to repeat another week of similar overnight lane closures for five nights starting Sunday Oct. 6, and an update will be provided in advance of that work.
Bay Ave./Porter St. Onramp to Southbound Hwy. 1 in Capitola Closed
Sept. 29 for Two Months
Starting Sunday Sept. 29, travelers will encounter a two-month closure of the Bay Ave./Porter St. onramp to southbound Highway 1 in Capitola. This ramp closure will allow crews to reconstruct the pavement elevation to accommodate the permanent bus-on-shoulder feature. The Bay Ave./Porter St. onramp to southbound Highway 1 is expected to reopen Nov. 29.
A detour is available. Message and directional signs are in place to alert travelers in advance of the ramp closure and to guide travelers through the detour.
Travelers on Porter St. will be directed to Bay Ave. and to Park Ave. where they will be able to take the southbound Hwy. 1 onramp at Park Ave. Travelers on Bay Ave. will continue on Bay Ave./Porter St. to Soquel Dr. until they reach Park Ave. and rejoin southbound Hwy. 1 at the Park Ave. onramp.
This ramp closure will allow crews to partially excavate the existing onramp, correct the slope to accommodate the bus-on-shoulder feature, widen the mainline shoulder, as well as install drainage inlets, and complete electrical work and striping.
Highway 1 Paving Project Near Aptos Continues with Overnight Lane and Ramp Closures
A project to improve pavement quality along four miles of Highway 1 in southern Santa Cruz County resumes with paving of the mainline and ramps. This paving operation is expected to take place over the next three weeks.
This 4-mile pavement rehabilitation project will take place on Highway 1 from 0.9 miles north of the Buena Vista Bridge to the Rio Del Mar Bridge in Aptos. This project will result in a smoother safer drive for the traveling public.
Travelers will encounter overnight ramp and lane closures at various locations within the project area during this pavement rehabilitation work.
A single lane of northbound Hwy. 1 may be closed overnight Sundays from 7 pm to 5 am, and Monday through Thursday from 6:30 pm to 5 am. A single lane of southbound Hwy. 1 may be closed overnight Sundays from 7 pm to 7 am, and Monday through Thursday from 7:30 pm to 7 am.
There may also be intermittent overnight closures of ramps within the construction zone. Northbound Hwy. 1 ramps may close Sundays 7 pm to 5 am, and Monday through Thursday from 6:30 pm to 5 am. Southbound Hwy. 1 ramps may close Sundays 7 pm to 7 am, and Monday through Thursday 7:30 pm to 7 am.
Travelers may expect delays of up to 10 minutes. No ramp or lane closures will be in effect between Friday at 7 am and Sunday at 7 pm.
Construction Continues on Highway 1 From Bay/Porter to Park Avenue in Capitola
The reconstruction of the Capitola Avenue Overcrossing which was demolished this past April continues with completion expected in November 2025 weather permitting. The new bridge will include improved sidewalks and bike lanes for travelers.
Construction continues for two new retaining walls with the installation of soil nail walls and shotcrete. This work will be followed by the installation off drainage facilities.
Subsequent work over the next several weeks will include roadway excavation and construction of the new roadbed.
Construction on the center median is ongoing with grading and paving tentatively scheduled to begin during the overnight hours on Sunday, Sept. 29 with this phase of work estimated at three weeks. Upon completion of this work and widening of the outside shoulder, the roadway will be restriped directing traffic outward to create space in the center median for the installation of the foundation for the new Capitola bridge. This work will be followed by the installation of falsework and bridge construction. Further details of this work will announced when details are certain.
Capitola Avenue Overcrossing Long-Term Closure
The Capitola Avenue overcrossing at Highway 1 closed on March 11, 2024, to all vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic and will remain closed for approximately 14 months. A detour is in place.
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