Before Phase 2 of Reimagine Metro is implemented in September, the final changes included in Phase 1 plans will go into effect in mid-June. Here’s what that will look like for Santa Cruz County’s transit agency.
Carmageddon
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Carmageddon: First step to a more bikeable and walkable Bay Street is happening this year
Improvements to Bay Street in Santa Cruz are coming soon, and it starts with the section between Escalona Drive and Nobel Drive. Over the project’s three-year timeline, the city will install a multitude of new features including protected bike lanes, ramp improvements and bus stop improvements.
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Carmageddon: West Cliff Drive could be open to traffic by year’s end
After nearly a year and a half, the Bethany Curve culvert repairs are finally getting underway Monday in Santa Cruz. The damaged section of West Cliff Drive between Columbia Street and Woodrow Avenue could reopen to one-way traffic within 10 weeks, opening the door for a fully drivable road for the first time in almost two years.
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Carmageddon: Soquel Drive improvements moving forward, with biggest impact likely for the summer
Work to encourage residents to cycle, walk and take the bus more is happening along Soquel Drive, and Santa Cruz County staff expect the most noticeable traffic delays to occur over the summer both because of the scope of work and the generally higher traffic levels.
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Carmageddon: Highway 1 expansion hits one of the busiest sections in the county
With the second phase of the Highway 1 project underway between Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive, about 5 miles of the major artery will be under construction for over a year. The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will seek funding for the third phase this year, with the hope to begin construction as the first two phases wind down.
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Carmageddon: One-way West Cliff pilot funding not available for two more years; public works focusing on other repairs
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.
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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.