PROJEC T SP O T LIGH T With major project goals to enhance
alternative transportation, reduce traffic congestion and improve accessibility of a community divided by coastal Highway 1, the project scope includes widening a three-mile section of the highway from State Park Drive to 41st Avenue for in- clusion of a “bus on shoulder” lane on the busy highway.
Te scope also includes bridge demo-
lition, architectural finish soil nail walls, and the construction of a vehicular bridge, pedestrian overcrossing, overhead sign structures, roadway and ramp expansion, storm drains, retaining walls, sound walls, landscaping, and road safety improve- ments, which include median barriers and metal beam guardrails.
Battling a Bottleneck: Highway 1 Project To Bring Relief to Santa
Cruz County Granite and Caltrans Leveraging Technology, Strong Communication and Partnering to Drive Delivery of Project Designed to Decrease Congestion, Improve Access
BY CAROL EATON A 6
project team led by Granite Construction is working with the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) to deliver major improvements to a heavily traveled sec- tion of Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County, leveraging the latest technology, strong communication efforts and partnering to complete the project that is designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve community access in the region.
CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR JULY/AUGUST 2025
Granite broke ground on the approx-
imately $72.4 million project in 2023 and is delivering it in three phases, with final completion slated for summer 2026. Te Santa Cruz County Regional Transpor- tation Commission (RTC) used local Measure D Highway Corridor funds to ready the project for construction and fully funded construction with SB1 “Solu- tions to Congested Corridors and Local Partnership Program” monies.
Congestion Relief and Improved Safety The project was urgently needed to improve traffic and safety operations on Highway 1 and reduce cut-through traffic that had been diverting to local streets and neighborhoods in Santa Cruz. As traffic has ramped up in the region over the years, several bottlenecks along Highway 1 have caused congestion and delays during peak travel hours. “Cut- through” traffic on local streets had added to congestion as drivers sought to avoid highway congestion. By adding infrastructure for buses
to travel in the auxiliary lanes between interchanges and on the outside shoulder, the project promotes the use of alternative transportation modes in and around Santa Cruz, a key step to decrease congestion. The project’s new vehicular bridge and pedestrian overcrossing will improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity to regional destinations and transit. Tis will help connect neighborhoods, schools, parks and beaches and commercial cen- ters in the region. Granite Construction Manager Brian
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