By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District
A flashing pedestrian crosswalk beacon and new streetlights in Boulder Creek are the most recent safety improvements along Highway 9. The beacon, installed by Caltrans, was a recommendation from a Highway 9 Safety group that formed in response to my Town Hall meetings held last year. The Boulder Creek Business Association and my office advocated for the street lights, installed by PG&E this past week.
It’s good to see these projects get done. Caltrans has been very responsive to the community and my office. I look forward to more safety projects being completed this year.
The flashing beacons in Ben Lomond are at Highway 9 and Main Street, where a crosswalk on a curve hindered visibility of pedestrians. Activated by pedestrians waiting to cross the road, the beacon is the first of several planned for Highway 9 crosswalks. Santa Cruz County will submit a grant application in June for flashing pedestrian crossing beacons in Boulder Creek, Felton and Brookdale. Grant applications also will be submitted for funding to improve bus shelters and to construct a bike path from Felton to the San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School.
The street lights are the culmination of almost four years of work with PG&E to replace rotting wood street light poles. Boulder Creek business owners and residents wanted decorative replacement lights that reflected the town’s historical architecture rather than the cobra style initially offered by P.G. & E.
Over a period of years, Boulder Creek chamber members met with representatives from PG&E, Caltrans, County Public Works and myself to discuss the location and style of each light for the downtown.
“It makes sense that a safer and more charming downtown core will encourage visitors to come and shop at our stores and eateries,” said Justin Acton, president of the Boulder Creek Business Association and operator of Boulder Creek Pizza & Pub. “Plus the response from our residents has been nothing short of sheer excitement for the upgraded look.”
In addition to the flashing beacon and streetlights, Caltrans and Santa Cruz County crews have installed new street and parking signs in the San Lorenzo Valley, repainted crosswalks, and removed a tree in Ben Lomond that forced pedestrians into the roadway.
Plans are also underway to complete a master plan for Highway 9 that will direct future improvements.