The City of Santa Cruz has had West Cliff Drive in its focus for many years, but since the winter storm deluge of early 2023, that focus has become even stronger. Santa Cruzans saw jarring changes along the scenic road that have remained in place ever since. The city installed a temporary one-way between Columbia […]
Carmageddon
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Carmageddon: Capitola Avenue Highway 1 overcrossing is closing for more than a year starting Monday
Crews plan to demolish the overpass between Capitola and Soquel and construct one that adds bike lanes and wider sidewalks. The bridge isn’t set to reopen until the summer or fall of 2025. School officials say they’ll give a bit of leeway as they adjust to detours and new routes.
Posted inCoast Life
Carmageddon: A look at West Cliff’s 50-year vision — including a one-way road
More than a year of public engagement has culminated in the City of Santa Cruz’s 50-year vision draft for West Cliff Drive. In that vision, the city confirms its intention to transition the coastal road to one-way westbound vehicle traffic. About 50 community members gathered Thursday to share their thoughts on the vision draft for the first time.
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Carmageddon: Metro conducts public input on Reimagine Metro Phase 2 ahead of March board meeting
As Phase 1 of Reimagine Metro gets closer to a complete implementation, Santa Cruz Metro is gearing up to bring the draft plan of Phase 2 — the project’s most drastic changes — to the Metro board of directors for approval in late March. Members of the public say they mostly appreciate the service changes thus far, but still have some ideas on how to improve.
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Carmageddon: What’s up with the Santa Cruz Metro station?
Santa Cruzans, particularly those who ride the buses, have probably noticed new stops and bus operations around Front Street, River Street and Soquel Avenue. It’s all part of the two-year changes accompanying the Pacific Station North project, which is slated to begin construction next week.
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Carmageddon: Windstorm spares ongoing West Cliff repairs, but a new site of concern surfaces
Early February’s intense windstorm luckily did not affect the parts of West Cliff Drive under construction, but one site that Santa Cruz’s public works department has been monitoring continues to erode — and its placement poses a unique challenge for repairs.
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Carmageddon: Weather delays could affect ongoing repairs once again on West Cliff Drive
West Cliff Drive escaped last week’s storm with no apparent damage, but continuing wet weather could delay the reopening of the stretch of road between Columbia Street and Woodrow Avenue a bit longer. A section of pedestrian path has been closed, too, due to erosion around a culvert pipe underneath the sidewalk.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Pajaro Valley’s College Lake project to bring more fresh water — and South County road delays
While PV Water’s College Lake project will cause some traffic delays along Highway 129 until the early summer, officials say it has far-reaching benefits, including better water resiliency for farmers and residents in the face of drought and climate change.
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Carmageddon: Soquel Drive to get bike, pedestrian and bus improvements
The Soquel Drive project involves 5.6 miles of Soquel Drive from La Fonda Avenue in Santa Cruz to State Park Drive in Aptos. Prep work is currently underway, and drivers can expect to run into the heaviest traffic delays in the summer and fall.
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Santa Cruz Metro CEO Michael Tree departs after less than 2 years
Santa Cruz Metro CEO Michael Tree said he is leaving the transit agency for personal reason to be closer to his aging parents in Southern California. He will join the Golden Empire Transit District in the Bakersfield area as its CEO when he officially departs. His last day will be Feb. 16.