New sidewalks on Soquel Drive near West Ledyard Way in Aptos are part of a larger project that includes bike lane upgrades. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local)
APTOS >> After more than a decade of residents’ requests and some construction in the past year, new sidewalks have been added to parts of Soquel Drive and protected bike lanes are in the works, county officials said this month.
The improvements to biking and walking infrastructure are planned or under construction along more than 5 miles of Soquel Drive and Soquel Avenue. The changes come after three pedestrian deaths and one cyclist death along the stretch since 2013, according to state records.
Painted bike lane buffers, some with plastic posts, are expected on Soquel Drive from Cabrillo College to State Park Drive, according to a county plan approved in February 2023. They’re also anticipated on Soquel Avenue from Harbor High School across Highway 1 to Paul Sweet Road.
Construction started August 2023 and is expected to finish in spring 2025 if there are no major weather delays, said county spokesperson Tiffany Martinez.
Bike lanes in red are expected to be upgraded with paint or flexible plastic posts on Soquel Drive near Cabrillo College and other areas. (County of Santa Cruz)
Bike lane improvements could include paint or plastic posts on Soquel Drive near Cabrillo College. (County of Santa Cruz)
Since 2013, 28 cyclists and pedestrians have been severely injured by vehicles driving in the stretch of road according to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety.
Most of the new bike lanes will be separated from cars by a painted buffer of at least 2 feet. In some areas, flexible posts will line the painted buffers.
The project also includes:
- 11 crosswalks with flashing lights.
- About half a mile of new sidewalks.
- Upgraded stop lights connected by fiber optic cables to improve traffic flow and make bus transit faster. The stoplights will operate differently but won’t be physically replaced.
County crews have completed nearly all of the required ramps, new sidewalks, and lighted crosswalks as of this month, Martinez said. Next year, county crews are set to paint new bike lanes, finish building a retaining wall, and install accessibility ramps.
Since the contract was approved last year, costs rose by nearly $2.5 million due to design changes and increased construction costs. The total estimated cost of the project is now $30.5 million. It’s funded mostly by state grants and $9.2 million from the county’s General Fund and road fund.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 29 voted to cover the shortfall with fees from recycling company GreenWaste Recovery Inc. The fees had been slated to pay for repairs to Buena Vista Drive near Watsonville.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include new estimated costs.
State data from 2013 to 2024 shows pedestrian and cyclist deaths in red dots and severe injuries in green dots. (University of California, Berkeley Transportation Injury Mapping System)
Painted bike buffers are expected from Paul Sweet Road across Highway 1 to Harbor High School. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)
Read more
- 3 takeaways from Santa Cruz County election results – Nov. 23, 2024
- Soquel Drive bike lane project expected in Summer – Feb. 16, 2023
- Explainer: Santa Cruz County’s road problems – July 5, 2024
Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. Santa Cruz Local is supported by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how we are funded.
Jesse Kathan is a staff reporter for Santa Cruz Local through the California Local News Fellowship. They hold a master's degree in science communications from UC Santa Cruz.
