Highway 1 Soquel/Morrissey
Auxiliary Lanes

Project Description

The project will add auxiliary lanes to Highway 1 between Soquel Avenue and Morrissey Boulevard, a distance of approximately one mile in each direction. An auxiliary lane connects an on-ramp with the next off-ramp but is not designed for use by through traffic. The lane extends the weaving and merging distance between the ramps and improves traffic flow by providing greater separation between vehicles entering and exiting the freeway from mainline traffic.

This segment of Highway 1 has historically been the busiest section in Santa Cruz County carrying over 100,000 vehicles per day in 2009 and routinely operating at the worst Level of Service (LOS) “F” for 8 hours each weekday.

The La Fonda Avenue overcrossing, which will be replaced to accommodate the auxiliary lanes under the bridge, will have bike lanes and a wider sidewalk for pedestrians. The project will install a raised crosswalk at the south end of the La Fonda Avenue Bridge near the entrance to Harbor High School, and construct sidewalks along Rooney Street and Morrissey Boulevard between Elk Street and San Juan Avenue.  The sidewalk work will feature the first publically advertised use of a new product that reduces green house gases through the use of a partial cement replacement. The innovative product is made from industrial carbon dioxide, which would have otherwise been released into the atmosphere, and instead is permanently stored in a solid form.

Funding

Funding sources for the construction phase include the voter-approved Proposition 1B – State Transportation Bond and the region’s local share of the State Transportation Improvement Program.   The state has already released the necessary funds to construct the project.

Right of Way

No additional right of way is required for the project however utility relocation and temporary construction easements are necessary at select locations.

Construction Management

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) will be the construction management entity for the project, with the assistance of experienced professionals and in partnership with Caltrans.  The benefits of the RTC assuming construction management authority include:

  • Direct involvement in critical decisions regarding the project
  • Proactive construction management approach
  • Local accountability and community relations

Background

Beginning in 1986 the RTC, working with Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), conducted a series of studies to identify an affordable and appropriate response to the growing congestion problem on Highway 1. These studies culminated with beginning work on the Highway 1 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes Project in June 2003.

In January 2007, separate and apart from the HOV Lanes Project the RTC, Caltrans, and FHWA began work on the preliminary design and environmental analysis of the Soquel/Morrissey Auxiliary Lanes Project to improve traffic operations and safety. Final engineering plans were completed and accepted by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) in June 2011. The CTC released funds for project construction in August 2011.

Environmental Document

The environmental document for this project was approved in September 2009.  The California Supreme Court denied a legal challenge/petition on the environmental document in March 2011.

Construction Activities

The RTC selected the contractor to build the project on January 5, 2012. The lowest bidder was RGW Construction, a firm with extensive experience in both road and bridge work.

About 70 people attended the RTC-hosted kick off meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2012, at DeLaveaga Elementary School. Information was presented about the project and upcoming construction events that will affect local traffic circulation. Displays from the meeting include: Project Map, Project Milestone Schedule, Environmental Features and an overview of all Highway 1 Projects. This Info Card includes project contact numbers, email and web links.  Every effort will be made to keep local residents and the two nearby schools informed about construction activities. Special consideration of the construction timeline has been taken to create the lowest impact on neighbors and schools.

The first step of construction will involve vegetation/tree clearing. This work should be done before migratory the birds nesting season. Clearing and grading will also create space for auxiliary lanes and soundwalls to be constructed.

The next major construction item will be the demolition of the La Fonda Bridge. The bridge will be removed shortly after the end of 2011/12 school year at Harbor High and DeLaveaga Elementary schools. Construction of the new bridge will take about 6-8 months. To receive regular construction updates, please sign up for enews.

Preliminary Project Schedule 2012-2013

(All starts in 2012, scheduled duration shown)
Late January: Tree work (2 weeks)
March: Retaining walls, sound walls and auxiliary lanes constructed (13–15 months)
Mid-June: La Fonda Bridge removed and reconstructed (6–8 months)
June: Sidewalks on Rooney Street and Morrissey Blvd. constructed (2 months)
November: Landscaping (4 Months)

News Releases and Related Information

RTC Contact

Kim Shultz
Senior Transportation Planner

(831) 460-3200