Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026
District: 05 - Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Kevin Drabinski
Phone: (805) 549-3138
Caltrans to Lower Some Speed Limits on 11.63-Mile Segment of Highway 9 in Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Caltrans has announced that speed limits will be reduced on certain segments along Highway 9 in Santa Cruz County, following a recent engineering and traffic survey of a 11.63-mile-long section.
The study section of Highway 9 begins just south of Exit Road at the City of Santa Cruz city limits and extends north to the Boulder Creek community. Highway 9 is a rural mountainous two-lane conventional highway that serves the communities of Felton, Ben Lomond, Brookdale, and Boulder Creek.
Based on survey findings, the speed limit on the two-lane rural highway from just south of San Lorenzo Avenue to just south of Hillside Avenue, will be reduced from 35 mph to 30 mph. In addition, the Ben Lomond community segment will be reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph. Lastly, the 0.90-mile segment north of Brookdale will be reduced from 35 mph from 30 mph. It is to be noted that the other speed limits along the study corridor will remain the same. These changes aim to encourage the safe and orderly flow of traffic.
Enforcement of the new speed limits will begin once all speed limit signs have been updated. The installation of these signs is expected to be completed within the next 30 days.
The engineering and traffic survey evaluated the existing speed limits, collision history, and roadway conditions not always apparent to drivers. These conditions include pedestrians and bicyclists sharing the road, the configuration of horizontal curves, direct driveway access, parking, and pedestrian crossings.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Santa Cruz County expressed their full support for Caltrans' recommendations to lower the speed limits on this segment of Highway 9. Acting CHP Santa Cruz Area Office Commander Lieutenant Boles said, “I would like to remind the motoring public to always drive at a safe speed for the current conditions and drive responsibly. Excessive speed is one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatal crashes. Let's all do our part to keep our roads safe.”
Caltrans utilizes multiple resources to determine speed limits on state highways, including the California Vehicle Code, the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, engineering judgment, and engineering evaluations. Speed zoning decisions also align with the Safe System approach outlined in Caltrans Director's Policy 36 (DP-36).
Director's Policy 36 demonstrates a department-wide commitment to prioritizing safety and achieving zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. Establishing safe and appropriate speed limits is a key component of this approach and supports the goals of the Caltrans Strategic Plan.
Additional Resources
California Office of Traffic Safety – Safe System Approach: https://www.ots.ca.gov/the-safe-system/
U.S. Department of Transportation – Safe System Approach: https://www.transportation.gov/NRSS/SafeSystem
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans Central Coast District 5 Social Media Platforms: X at @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.
For information about transportation projects transforming communities throughout the state, visit: Build.ca.gov.
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CHP Traffic Incident Information Page: https://cad.chp.ca.gov/
Traveler Information at: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
