SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The City of Santa Cruz is implementing temporary measures to increase safety and maintain access to areas of West Cliff Drive damaged by the January 2023 storms. A West Cliff Drive traffic control plan has been created that includes detours and one-way-only westbound vehicular traffic between Columbia Street and Woodrow Avenue effective Friday afternoon, Jan. 20. There will be no public access from David Way to Woodrow Avenue due to an emergency stabilization project on Monday, Jan. 23, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The temporary traffic control plan’s roadway configuration and detours are subject to change due to multiple factors including roadway conditions and construction activity. Currently the plan includes:
- West Cliff Drive will be open to one-way westbound vehicular traffic only from Columbia Street to Woodrow Avenue. Two-way bike and pedestrian access will be provided in the ocean side travel lane. On-street parking on this section of West Cliff Drive will be prohibited due to the limited roadway width outside of the cliff failures.
- The bridge at Bethany Curve will remain closed to vehicular traffic but will remain open for bicycling and walking.
- West Cliff Drive between Almar Avenue and the bridge east of David Way will be open to local traffic only with shared lanes for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
- Detour signage will direct vehicular traffic via Almar Avenue, Delaware Avenue and Woodrow Avenue. The public is asked to be considerate of West Cliff Drive adjacent neighbors.
The City has begun assessments of damaged portions of West Cliff Drive and will undertake an emergency stabilization project on Monday, Jan. 23, at the 1016 West Cliff failure location. The project will place 200 tons of boulders and fabric material to protect the exposed cliff until a permanent solution can be designed, permitted and constructed.
Construction activities are expected from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. During this time there will be no public access between David Way and Woodrow Avenue. Residents within the closure must park outside the work zone and may be escorted by construction crews to access their homes at the contractor’s discretion. After the stabilization effort is complete, the temporary traffic control plan will be reinstated.
The public is asked to observe all signage and barricades especially as the temporary traffic control plan is subject to change and sections of roadway may be closed periodically. Any such changes will be posted at cityofsantacruz.com/westclifftrafficcontrols where traffic control plan and detour maps may be viewed and downloaded.
The City will engage with the community to refine the traffic control approach on West Cliff Drive during the recovery period. At the web page above, any concerns or questions may be submitted via online form.
The City apologizes for any inconvenience this traffic control plan and emergency stabilization project may cause and appreciates the public’s cooperation in this effort to help keep everyone safe.
Construction activities are expected from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. During this time there will be no public access between David Way and Woodrow Avenue. Residents within the closure must park outside the work zone and may be escorted by construction crews to access their homes at the contractor’s discretion. After the stabilization effort is complete, the temporary traffic control plan will be reinstated.
The public is asked to observe all signage and barricades especially as the temporary traffic control plan is subject to change and sections of roadway may be closed periodically. Any such changes will be posted at cityofsantacruz.com/westclifftrafficcontrols where traffic control plan and detour maps may be viewed and downloaded.
The City will engage with the community to refine the traffic control approach on West Cliff Drive during the recovery period. At the web page above, any concerns or questions may be submitted via online form.
The City apologizes for any inconvenience this traffic control plan and emergency stabilization project may cause and appreciates the public’s cooperation in this effort to help keep everyone safe.
