Caltrans working on big changes for Highway 17
UPDATE 6/9/2016 10:20 PM:More than 60,000 people drive Highway 17 in Santa Cruz County every day, and it’s become a nightmare for many commuters.
“You get used to the way the highway is, what you don’t get used to, is people who don’t know how to drive the hill,” said Bruce Korb of Santa Cruz County.
Korb added he’s seen lots of wrecks in his 20-plus years traveling on the highway.
“I almost had one because somebody dumped a load of 2x4s and I was able to keep control instead of going into the opposite direction of traffic,” said Korb.
Caltrans is working on new concepts to address traffic and safety issues. The ideas are all part of the Highway 17 Management Access Plan.
On Thursday, Caltrans hosted a public workshop in Santa Cruz to introduce the plans to the public.
Basically what the agency wants to do is change how drivers get on and off the busy corridor by closing intersections and driveways along the highway.
“It is one-way in and one-way out, but ultimately we want the safest area possible for motorists, the commuters and the tourists,” said Susana Z. Cruz, Caltrans’ public information officer.
The plan focuses on the seven mile stretch between Granite Creek Road and Summit Road. By 2040, Caltrans predicts almost 80,000 drives will use the highway daily. County leaders said they already get regular complaints.
“It’s their main route. Whether you live up in the summit area or here in Happy Valley, what happens on Highway 17 really effects our rural communities,” said District 1 Supervisor John Leopold.
Other ideas include adding ramps and building an overpass. Caltrans officials said they are still in the planning phase and it could take years before improvements are made.
In the meantime, the agency wants to hear from the public. The next workshop is Tuesday, June 14, at Loma Prieta Elementary School, 23800 Summit Road, Los Gatos, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
PREVIOUS: What will Highway 17 look like in the future and how will it serve the needs of the public?
That is the focus of a public workshop Thursday night in Santa Cruz. Caltrans and other partners are developing a long range management plan for the highway, and will present a first draft of projects being considered to address access, mobility and safety needs for the heavily-traveled roadway.
Tonight’s workshop is being held in the Happy Valley Conference Center, 2159 Branciforte Drive in Santa Cruz, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
KION’s Monica Jacquez is attending the session and will have a full report tonight at 11:00.
