Caltrans is scheduled to close both directions of Highway 1 for a 24-hour block on March 23/24 to make way for the demolition of the 1948 Capitola Ave. overcrossing.
Kevin Drabinski, spokesperson for Caltrans, said the work is the second phase of the three-phase project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Hwy 1 between the Bay Avenue and Porter Street and State Park Drive interchanges.
The new bridge, scheduled to take about 14 months to complete will “enhance transit and traffic operations and enhance safety on Highway 1,” said Capitola Mayor Kristen Brown.
“The project will replace the existing Capitola Avenue overcrossing with a new one that will include enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities for active transportation use,” Brown said. “There will also be a new bicycle/pedestrian overcrossing at Mar Vista Drive to provide a safe place between schools, the beach, residential neighborhoods and retail uses on each side of Highway 1.”
Drabinski said that he wants to get the message to the tens of thousands of residents who use the highway that they should adjust their schedules and avoid any big delays.
He added that communities further away, such as San Lorenzo Valley, Davenport and the Pajaro and Salinas valleys are also being informed of the work.
The demolition and highway closure will run from March 23 at 7pm to March 24 at 7pm.
The detour routes include:
- Motorists traveling northbound on Hwy 1 will be directed off at the Park Ave. exit, north on Soquel Drive., and return to northbound Hwy 1 at the Bay/Porter onramp.
- Motorists traveling southbound on Hwy 1 will be directed off at the Bay/Porter exit to Soquel Drive and return to southbound Hwy 1 at the Park Ave. onramp.
This work is weather dependent.
Information for the improvements on Highway 1 between the Bay Ave./Porter St. and State Park Drive interchanges can be found on the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s website:
For information, click here visit bit.ly/4af0KJh
