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
New Auxiliary Lanes Now Open Between 41st Avenue and Soquel Avenue/Drive
The RTC is pleased to announce that the new north and southbound Hwy. 1 auxiliary lanes between 41st Ave. and Soquel Dr. are now open! This key segment of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane and Bus-on-Shoulder Project is now fully open to vehicle traffic, marking a significant step forward in improving safety, reducing congestion, and enhancing travel times for drivers in the county.
The new auxiliary lanes connect the on-ramps with the next off-ramps, creating extended areas for merging and weaving, while improving highway traffic operations, and reducing cut-through traffic diverting to local streets and neighborhoods.
Phase 2: Bay/Porter to State Park Drive
Full Overnight Closures of Northbound Highway 1 at State Park Dr.
Sunday, May 4, Monday, May 5, and Tuesday, May 6 from 10 pm to 5 am
During the full overnight closure of northbound Highway 1, travelers will be directed off at the State Park Dr. interchange and take Soquel Dr. north before rejoining northbound Highway 1 at the Bay/Porter onramp.
In April 2024, crews demolished the Capitola Ave. overcrossing in order to construct auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements which widened the highway at this location. Crews will use a series of overnight closures to create the wood and metal framework from which the new overcrossing will be built.
Full Overnight Closures of Southbound Highway 1 at Bay/Porter
Wednesday, May 7, Thursday, May 8, and Sunday, May 11 from 11 pm to 6 am
During the full overnight closure of southbound Highway 1, travelers will be directed off at the Bay/Porter. interchange and take Soquel Dr. south before rejoining southbound Highway 1 at the Park Ave. onramp.
In April 2024, crews demolished the Capitola Ave. overcrossing in order to construct auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements which widened the highway at this location. Crews will use a series of overnight closures to create the wood and metal framework from which the new overcrossing will be built.
Closure of Southbound Park Ave. Offramp
Crews closed the southbound Hwy. 1 offramp at Park Ave on Thursday, April 17. The southbound Park Ave. offramp is scheduled to be closed for six months, two months longer than the northbound ramp. This is because the southbound section involves a more extensive scope of work which includes a full roadway structural replacement.
A detour is available. Travelers will continue south on Highway 1 and take the next exit at State Park Ave. Travelers will turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp and use Soquel Dr. to access Park Ave.
Closure of Northbound Park Ave. Offramp
Crews closed the northbound Highway 1 offramp at Park Ave. on Monday, April 7. The northbound Park Ave. offramp is scheduled to be closed for the next four months.
A detour is available. Travelers will continue on northbound Hwy. 1 to the Bay Ave./Porter St. offramp. Additional signs will guide drivers to use Soquel Dr. to reach Park Ave.
During the closures of the Park Ave. offramps crews will construct soundwalls, replace the existing concrete barrier at the Park Ave. Bridge, pave the gore area where the main highway and the ramp pavement converge, correct the profile of the existing ramps, and make additional improvements.
Bay Ave./Porter St. Onramp to Southbound Hwy. 1 in Capitola Closed
Starting Sept. 29
Starting Sunday Sept. 29, travelers will encounter a 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.
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.
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.
Other Closures
Overnight Lane Closures on Highway 1 from Watsonville to Aptos
A shoulder widening project on Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County is scheduled to begin April 14 and will feature overnight lane closures.
Starting April 14, travelers on northbound Hwy. 1 will encounter an overnight closure of a single lane, Monday thru Thursday from 7:30 pm to 5 am. and Sunday from 9 pm to 5 am.
Travelers on southbound Hwy. 1 will encounter an overnight closure of a single lane, Monday thru Thursday from 8:30 pm to 6 am and Sunday from 9 pm to 6 am.
One lane of thru travel will always remain open during these overnight lane closures.
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