The missed funding opportunity for a pilot project to make Santa Cruz’s West Cliff Drive one-way will likely push any prospective approval and implementation years into the future, but new committees to guide the future of West Cliff projects will begin working on priorities soon.
Carmageddon
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Carmageddon: RTC eyes replacing 23 train bridges as it moves toward passenger rail in Santa Cruz County
Any manifestation of passenger rail in Santa Cruz County is still years away, but Regional Transportation Commission staff will get going on very early work this year. On Thursday, the commission voted to allow staff to begin preliminary designs and design repairs to existing Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line infrastructure — including the possible replacement of some historic bridges within the county.
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Highway 1 closure in Capitola on for this weekend
Work originally scheduled to shut down Highway 1 in March is on track for this Saturday evening into Sunday evening, shutting down the freeway between the Park Avenue and Bay Avenue/Porter Street exits.
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Carmageddon: As two rail trail segments left in limbo, another readies for a summer opening
The short section of segment 7 that will run from the intersection of California Street and Bay Avenue is expected to finally wrap up this year, and perhaps as early as this summer. However, city transportation officials acknowledge that the work area is a “challenging site” particularly sensitive to weather impacts.
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Carmageddon: Murray Street Bridge (finally), Bay Street upgrades among big Santa Cruz projects starting soon
A City of Santa Cruz open house last week provided updates on some of the major projects currently in progress and others expected to begin this year. Planners also gave attendees an early look at other spots on the to-do wish list.
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Carmageddon: West Cliff repairs progress despite weather interruptions
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 […]
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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.
