Crosswalks straddle four and six lanes of traffic at Airport Boulevard and Green Valley Road. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)

SANTA CRUZ >> Transportation planners in Santa Cruz County want to know where residents feel unsafe on rural highways in San Lorenzo Valley, the North Coast and South County. A survey from the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will shape a long-term vision for future safety improvements.

Read more and submit feedback on possible safety improvements. Describe specific spots that feel dangerous. The surveys close July 30.

No time? Comment below, and we’ll forward the feedback to the transportation commission.

The Rural Highway Safety Plan aims to build on the 2019 plan to include potential safety improvements on:

• Highway 129 (Riverside Road) outside Watsonville city limits.
• Highway 152 (East Lake Avenue and Hecker Pass Road) outside Watsonville.
• Highway 1 on the North Coast, north of Santa Cruz city limits.
• Highway 236 (Big Basin Highway) in the San Lorenzo Valley.
• Highway 9 through the San Lorenzo Valley.
• Highway 35 along the ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

From 2014 to 2023, 10% of crashes along these stretches included cyclists or pedestrians, and 20% of people killed in crashes were walking or biking.

Possible safety improvements could include rumble strips, new or upgraded crosswalks and more lighting.

Four cyclists and a pedestrian have been injured in crashes near East Lake Avenue and College Road since 2013, according to state records. Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)

The transportation commission has identified potential priority areas for improvements, including:

• Highway 152 (East Lake Avenue) from Holohan Road to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.
• Highway 9 through Felton, Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek.
• Highway 1 through Wilder Ranch State Park and through Davenport.

Share your experience on rural highways

Read more and submit feedback on possible safety improvements. Describe specific spots that feel dangerous. The surveys close July 30.

Or, comment below and we’ll forward the feedback to the transportation commission.

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Where have you crashed, had a close call or felt unsafe on rural highways in Santa Cruz County? What’s the problem, and what would you like to see change? *

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