All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
COMPLETE

COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING

0 out of 0

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED

SECTOR
Surface Transportation

CATEGORY
Project Category DOT Projects

LEAD AGENCY
California, CalTrans

Description:

The project under consideration in this EIR/EA is a widening of State Route 1 between post mile 8.1 to post mile 10.7 in the County of Santa Cruz to include auxiliary lanes and to accommodate Bus-on-Shoulder operations between the Freedom Boulevard/State Park Drive interchanges, and to construct Segment 12 of the Coastal Rail Trail. This EIR/EA analyzes a No-Build (No Action) Alternative and a Build Alternative. The proposed Build Alternative would involve the construction of 12-foot auxiliary lanes between the Freedom Boulevard/State Park Drive interchanges. Moosehead Drive to the south of State Route 1, south of Aptos Creek would be realigned where it runs parallel to State Route 1 and a new retaining wall would be placed along the outside freeway shoulder to support the realignment. The Build Alternative would include replacement of two Santa Cruz Branch Line railroad bridges over State Route 1 and widening of the State Route 1 bridge (on the south side only) over Aptos Creek and Spreckels Drive.  Bus-on-shoulder features are proposed, which would allow future bus operations on the outside shoulders of State Route 1 through the interchanges during peak congestion periods. At the Freedom Boulevard, Rio Del Mar Boulevard, and State Park Drive interchanges, the project would widen and improve State Route 1 shoulders, which currently lack the width and pavement structural section to support bus operations.  The limits of Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 extend from the southern terminus of the trail segment at Sumner Avenue, just of the south of the Rio Del Mar Boulevard underpass, to the northern terminus at State Park Drive. The proposed Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 ultimate trail configuration includes the construction of a paved bicycle and pedestrian shared use trail within the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line right-of-way on the inland side of the tracks. An optional first phase is being considered for Segment 12 of the Coastal Rail Trail, where all or a portion of the trail could be located along the alignment of the existing railroad tracks.  Under the ultimate trail configuration, new trail bridge crossings of State Route 1 at two locations and adjacent to the existing railroad bridges at Soquel Drive/Aptos Creek, and Valencia Creek would be constructed. New at-grade trail crossings would be constructed at Aptos Creek Drive, Parade Street, and Trout Gulch Road. An at-grade trail connection from the new trail to the Aptos Village County Park between Aptos Creek and Aptos Creek Road would be constructed. Under the optional first phase being considered, the two existing railroad bridges over State Route 1 would be removed and two new trail overcrossings over State Route 1 would be constructed in their place. The existing railroad bridges at Aptos Creek and Valencia Creek/Soquel Drive (south) would be repurposed for the new trail by removing the railroad decking and replacing with a new trail deck and railing system. The existing single span railroad bridge superstructure over Soquel Drive (north) would be removed and replaced with a new trail deck and railing system.  If all or a portion of the optional first phase of the trail is implemented, the trail along the existing railroad track alignment would need to be removed, a trail would be constructed adjacent to the tracks as described by the proposed ultimate trail project, and the railroad tracks re-installed in their approximate existing location. At-grade railroad crossings of Aptos Creek Drive, Parade Street, and Trout Gulch Road would need to be reconstructed. The Build Alternative would require full or partial acquisitions for the construction of the State Route 1 and Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 ultimate trail improvements, as well as temporary easements for construction activities such as the construction of sound walls and retaining walls along State Route 1 and the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. In addition, the fish passage at Valencia Creek will be implemented. Under the No-Build (No-Action) Alternative, the existing lane configuration and width of State Route 1 would remain as it is. No widening of State Route 1 would occur, and auxiliary lanes, Bus-on-Shoulder improvements, and Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 would not be built.  The project is a joint project by Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration and is subject to state and federal environmental review requirements. Project documentation, therefore, has been prepared in compliance with both CEQA and NEPA. Caltrans is the lead agency under NEPA. Caltrans is the lead agency under CEQA. Additionally, the Federal Highway Administration’s responsibility for environmental review, consultation, and any other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by Caltrans pursuant to 23 U.S. Code Section 327 and the Memorandum of Understanding dated May 27, 2022, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and Caltrans.