Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane and Bus-on-Shoulder Project Construction Updates
The RTC is currently constructing the second phase of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes and Bus-on-Shoulder project. 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. Phase I from 41st Avenue to Soquel Drive, including a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer Avenue was completed in spring 2025.
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 Between 41st Avenue and Soquel Avenue/Drive and Chanticleer Bicycle & Pedestrian Overcrossing are now open
Phase 2: Bay/Porter to State Park Drive
Full daytime Closure of McGregor Dr. in Aptos Set to Take Place Thursday, June 18
A project to construct a pedestrian overcrossing bridge at Mar Vista Drive near Aptos will result in the full closure of McGregor Drive at Mar Vista Drive Thursday, June 18 from 6 am to 3 pm.
The following detours will be available:
- Travelers heading from State Park Drive toward Park Avenue will be directed to use northbound Highway 1.
- Travelers heading from Park Avenue toward State Park Drive will be directed to Soquel Drive.
- Travelers may also use alternate routes, including McGregor Drive, Mar Vista Drive, and Sea Ridge Road, as permitted by posted traffic control.
Residents and businesses located on McGregor Drive between Park Avenue and Mar Vista Drive will not be affected by the closure and will remain open with full access.
Message and directional signs will alert travelers in advance of the areas under traffic control. Please allow extra time for you to travel through the area.
Closure of Southbound Highway 1 Onramp at Park Avenue
A project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Highway 1 between the Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive interchanges continues.
On Sunday, April 19, crews closed the southbound Highway 1 onramp at Park Ave. The southbound Park Ave. onramp is scheduled to be closed for approximately six months. This is because the southbound section involves a more extensive scope of work which includes a full roadway structural replacement.
Travelers have two detour options. One detour is heading south on Soquel Dr. and the other is south on McGregor Dr. where both roads lead to the southbound Highway 1 State Park Dr. onramp.
During the closure, crews will be making necessary improvements to the onramp to accommodate the bus-on-shoulder facilities.
Message and directional signs will alert travelers in advance of the areas under traffic control. Please allow for extra time for your travels through the area.
Long Term Full Closure Of Southbound Highway 1 State Park Drive Off-Ramp for Soundwall Construction
Travelers will encounter a long-term full closure of the southbound Highway 1 State Park Drive off ramp beginning on Monday evening, January 26 beginning at 9:00 pm.
This closure is necessary for crews to make improvements with a focus on construction of the wood and metal framework, which will be built to support construction of the Soundwall along the southbound State Park Off-ramp.
The new soundwall along the southbound State Park Drive off‑ramp requires the ramp to be closed to allow for masonry block installation and concrete pours. This work is expected to take approximately three weeks. Once the operation is complete, the ramp will be reopened to traffic.
Traffic Control:
During the full southbound State Park ramp closure, travelers will be directed to exit at Park Avenue off‑ramp interchange, turn left onto Park Avenue, then turn right onto southbound Soquel Drive before rejoining State Park Drive.
Capitola Avenue Overcrossing Now Open
Other Closures
Murray St. Bridge Closure
Full closure of the Murray Street Bridge began on Wednesday, June 10. During the closure, both the westbound and eastbound lanes of the bridge are be closed to vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. The closure is expected to continue through September. Learn more at santacruzca.gov/msb
Full Overnight Closures of Highway 152 in Watsonville Week of June 14
A paving maintenance operation will full close a portion of Highway 152 (Main St.) in Watsonville beginning Sunday, June 14.
Paving will take place overnight throughout the week from 9 pm to 5 am on Highway 152 between Freedom Blvd and 5th St.
A detour will be available to access Main St. south of the closure as well as neighborhoods on either side of the closure. From Highway 152 (Main St.) travelers will turn right on Rodriguez St., make a left on 5th St. to access Main Street. From Freedom Blvd. travelers will turn right on Brennan St., make a right on 5th St. to access Main St.
Delays should not exceed 5 minutes. Message signs will assist motorists traveling through this area. The paving work is expected to be complete by Thursday morning on June 18.
Full Daytime Closure of Southbound Hwy 1 Buena Vista Dr. On-ramp in Watsonville Week of Monday, June 15
Travelers will encounter a full closure of the southbound Highway 1 Buena Vista Drive on-ramp in Watsonville on Monday, June 15.
The closure will be in place from 7 am to 4 pm as crews work on grading the parking area near the end of the on-ramp. The project is expected to be completed on Friday, June 19.
A detour will be available. Travelers attempting to merge on southbound Highway 1 will be directed from the Buena Vista Dr. on-ramp to proceed to Ranport Rd. where they will enter southbound Highway 1 using the Airport Blvd. on-ramp.
Bridge Paving Projects in Santa Cruz County with Overnight Closures
Projects to improve pavement quality on bridges and ramps on three state routes in Santa Cruz County began Tuesday, May 26. Travelers can expect intermittent overnight work at these three locations over the next few months.
These pavement rehabilitation projects will take place on Hwy. 1 at the onramp to Hwy. 17 in Santa Cruz, on Hwy. 17 near Granite Creek Rd. in Scotts Valley, and on Hwy. 129 near Blackburn Street in Watsonville.
Travelers will encounter overnight ramp and lane closures at various locations within the project area during this pavement rehabilitation work.
The closure of a single lane on these state routes will take place intermittently Monday thru Friday from 8 pm to 6 am. No lane closures will be in effect between Friday at 6 am thru Monday at 8 pm.
Travelers may expect delays of up to 5 minutes. This project will result in a smoother safer drive for the traveling public.
The contractor for this $1 million project is Truesdell Corporation from Tempe, AZ. This project is expected to be completed by July 31, 2026.
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