Auxiliary Lanes, Bus on Shoulder, and Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 Project

The project will construct multimodal improvements to enhance transit frequency and on-time performance, and safety and mobility for vehicles, transit, bicycles, and pedestrians. The project includes northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements between the State Park Drive and Freedom Boulevard interchanges, replace the two existing railroad bridges between the State Park Drive and Rio del Mar interchanges, and widens the Aptos Creek bridge.

This section of Highway 1 provides access to Aptos Village, Rio del Mar, Aptos High School, and Aptos Hills/Corralitos. 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 existing railroad bridges will be replaced with longer span bridges to accommodate the addition of auxiliary lanes on Highway 1. The Highway 1 bridge over Aptos Creek and Spreckles Drive will be widened as part of the project. The new bridges, soundwalls, and retaining walls will incorporate aesthetic treatments consistent with the visual character of the corridor and the adjacent community.

This project also includes construction of Segment 12 of the Coastal Rail Trail, a bicycle and pedestrian trail along an approximately 1.25-mile segment of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line right-of-way from State Park Drive to Rio Del Mar Boulevard.

Project Fact Sheet Project Exhibit Map

PROJECTS

RTC Contact

Sarah Christensen
Senior Transportation Engineer
info@sccrtc.org
(831) 460-3200

Project Highlights

• Improves traffic and safety operations on Highway 1
• Adds infrastructure for buses to travel in the auxiliary lanes between interchanges and on the outside shoulder through interchanges
• Reduces cut-through traffic diverting to local streets and neighborhoods by adding auxiliary lanes between State Park Drive and Freedom Boulevard
• Provides a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian trail, improving safety and connectivity to schools, commercial centers, and transit facilities
• Improves active transportation connectivity by constructing 4 dedicated bicycle/pedestrian overcrossings

Project Schedule

The environmental phase of this project was completed
in 2024. The project is expected to go to construction as
soon as 2026.

Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

A joint Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Assessment (known as an EIR/EA) was prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Caltrans is the lead agency under CEQA and assumed responsibilities of lead agency for the Federal Highway Administration under NEPA assignment. 

EIR	APPENDICES
State Park to Freedom Notice of Availability	Appendix A – Title VI Policy Statement
Cover, Summary, Table of Contents	Appendix B – Relocation Benefits
Chapter 1 – Proposed Project	Appendix C – Avoidance, Minimization and/or Mitigation Summary
Chapter 2 – Affected – Human Environment	Appendix D- Notice of Preparation
Chapter 2 – Affected – Physical Environment	Appendix E – Section 4(f) Concurrence
Chapter 2 – Affected – Biological Environment	Appendix F – Right of Way Exhibits
Chapter 2 – Affected – Cumulative Impacts	Appendix G- Geometric Approval Drawings
Chapter 3 – CEQA Evaluation	Appendix H – List of Technical Studies
Chapter 4 – Comments Coordination	Appendix I – Comment Letters and Responses
Chapter 5 – List of Preparers	Appendix J – Public Comments
Chapter 6 – Distribution List

Related Technical Studies

• Historic Property Survey Report (38mb)
• Traffic Operations Analysis Report (TOAR)
• Additional Traffic Analysis Memorandum
• Air Quality Report
• Climate Change Memorandum
• Community Impact Assessment
• Cumulative Impact Analysis
• Preliminary Drainage Report
• Energy Analysis Report
• Floodplain Evaluation Report

• Initial Site Assessment (38mb)
• Focused Noise Abatement Decision Report
• Natural Environment Study
• Focused Noise Study Report (32mb)
• Preliminary Geotechnical Design Report (32mb)
• Paleontological Identification/Evaluation Report
• Relocation Impact Memorandum
• Storm Water Data Report
• Visual Impact Assessment
• Water Quality Assessment Report

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