Highway 9 One-Way Reversing Traffic Control Continues During Week of August 3

Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
District: 05 - Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Ashton Harris or Heidi Crawford
Phone: (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3318

HIGHWAY 9 ONE-WAY REVERSING TRAFFIC CONTROL
CONTINUES DURING WEEK OF AUGUST 3

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY — Travelers on Highway 9 will encounter daytime and overnight one-way reversing traffic control Monday through Friday at multiple locations during the week of August 3.

Projects Under Construction

The Highway 9 San Lorenzo River and Kings Creek Bridge Replacement Project is taking place north of Boulder Creek and involves the full replacement of these bridges for the safety of the traveling public.

King’s Creek Bridge Replacement / Post Mile 15.41 to 15.55

San Lorenzo River Bridge Replacement / Post Mile 13.58 to 13.69

Temporary traffic signals at both bridges are in place providing 24/7 signalized one-way control. The one-way traffic control supports the ongoing bridge replacement work where crews during this first phase of the project will close the southbound lane to replace the southbound portion of each bridge.

The Highway 9 Felton Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project: Since the 1954 opening of San Lorenzo Valley High School, pedestrians – have had to navigate to school along the narrow shoulders of Highway 9. This project will see a sidewalk and bikeable shoulder area built on the southbound side of Highway 9 between the schools complex and Felton’s downtown. During the current phase of construction, a temporary concrete barrier was installed closing one of the southbound lanes on Highway 9 approaching Graham Hill/Felton Empire Road. This barrier is essential for the safety of crews working behind it for all current phases of work and is expected to remain in place through February 2027. With the start of the school year in early August, we want the community to make sure to allow for extra time during their commute. When complete, the project will provide transformative safety enhancements for pedestrians and cyclists for generations to come.

• Work is now taking place overnight and during the day behind a temporary k-rail barrier with one-way reversing traffic control on Hwy. 9 north of Graham Hill Rd, PM 6.4- 7.2. This week crews will be removing trees and existing electrical systems and irrigation controllers, installing new conduit, potholing and drainage work.

The Highway 9 Upper Drainage and Erosion Control Improvements Project is improving the operation of key drainage systems along Hwy. 9 and will include culvert replacement, paving, and enhancement of erosion control systems. This work will take place between Brookdale and the junction with upper Hwy. 236.

• A temporary traffic signal is in place to establish 24/7 single lane reversible traffic control from 0.21 miles north of Clear Creek Road/Pacific Street to 0.32 miles south of Irwin Way PM 11.66. This traffic signal is estimated to operate through the end of September.

Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7 from 9 am to 4 pm:

Approximately 0.4 miles of the northbound lane along Hwy 9 will be closed at Ramona Dr. (PM 17.51 – 17.95)

Approximately 1.5 miles of the northbound lane along Hwy 9 will be closed at Tin Can Ranch Rd (PM 23.75 – 25.5)

 

*Traffic Control for Utility Work and Tree Trimming between 8:30 am to 4 pm:

August 3 – 7: PM 8.55 to 9.9 and PM 15.47 to 15.97

Message and directional signs will alert travelers in advance of the areas under traffic control. Please allow for extra time for your travels through the area.

You can find a more in-depth timeline for the San Lorenzo Valley projects at this link: San Lorenzo Valley Area Projects Fact Sheet

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.