By Jon Chown
A major improvement project along 41st Avenue was approved by the Capitola City Council on Feb. 12, clearing the way for construction on one of the area’s busiest streets connecting neighborhoods and businesses to Highway 1.
The project, which is now moving toward bidding, will repair deteriorating pavement and add multimodal safety upgrades along 41st Avenue, primarily within the Caltrans right-of-way near the southbound Highway 1 on-ramp. The work will focus on improving conditions for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, and will hopefully minimize disruptions.
“This is primarily a pavement project because it so deteriorated, but there are some safety enhancements,” said Jessica Kahn, public works director for the City of Capitola.
The council approved a $1.7 million expenditure on the project, which is projected to cost about $2.04 million when completed. Funding for it includes a $1 million Regional Transportation Commission grant awarded in December 2023, along with roughly $1.04 million in local funds generated through Senate Bill 1 transportation revenue and Measure D sales tax funds. About $350,000 has already been spent on design and pre-construction work.
Design and permitting work concluded earlier this year after reviews by Regional Transportation Commission technical advisory committees and the City Council. Caltrans completed environmental review and issued the required encroachment permit.
Planned improvements include new striping, upgraded ADA-compliant curb ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, green conflict-zone striping, and buffered bike lanes with protective curbing and delineators. Signage will also be improved to help motorists select the correct lane approaching the interchange to Highway 1.
It appears that a lot of the work will occur between Gross Road and Clares Street. According to a staff report, existing pavement has been failing, with numerous trench repairs, faded striping and unclear lane guidance contributing to safety concerns, particularly near the Highway 1 access where accidents between bicyclists and motorists have been reported.
“The striping is quite faded and there are quite a few bicycle conflicts going across the highway here,” Kahn said. “Though it really isn’t the most ideal way to get across town on a bicycle, many, many people do.”
Council member Susan Westman said she was in favor of the project, but questioned the placement of the bicycle lanes between Gross Road and Clares Street, which will run between the lanes, rather than along the curb. She worried it would be a bit of a burden on cyclists to have to cross traffic into the center bike lane.
“Like most people in Capitola, I drove up there fairly regularly and traffic is sort a mess right in that area. There seems to be a lot of lane changing. Why has the bike lane been designed that way?”
Kahn said crossing the street was burdensome, but safer than going along the curb where motorists were going right on red, and generally moving fast.
Construction is expected to occur primarily at night to reduce traffic impacts and maintain access to businesses. If construction bids exceed available funding, estimated between about $1.6 million and $2.1 million, staff will return to the council for further direction.
“I’m excited to get this moving,” said Mayor Margaux Morgan.
TOP PHOTO: 41st Avenue is going to be repaired and upgraded with improved bicycle lanes.