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 Overnight Closures of Highway 1 Near Aptos Set to Take Place September 20 & 21
A full closure of southbound Highway 1 in Aptos will take place Sept. 20 from 11 pm to 6 am. Travelers heading southbound will detour at the Park Ave. off-ramp to Soquel Dr. where they will take the State Park Dr. on ramp to continue onto southbound Highway 1.
A full closure of northbound Highway 1 will take place on Sept. 21 from 10 pm to 5 am. Travelers heading northbound will detour at the State Park Dr. off-ramp to Soquel Dr. where they will take the Park Ave. on ramp to continue onto northbound Highway 1.
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 Offramp at Bay Avenue
Beginning overnight, August 2, crews will close the southbound Highway 1 off-ramp at Bay Ave. The southbound Bay Ave. off-ramp is scheduled to be closed for approximately four months as crews reconstruct the ramp as part of the bus-on-shoulder facility.
Travelers will follow a detour on southbound Highway 1 to continue southbound and exit at the southbound Park Avenue off-ramp. They will then turn left onto Park Avenue, continue on Soquel Drive, and follow the detour signs back to the Porter Street/Bay Avenue area.
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.
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
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