By Jon Chown
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors recently approved the installation of two new road bumps along Dover Drive between Soquel Drive and Howe Street, following a call from the community to slow traffic in the neighborhood.
Four speed bumps had been initially proposed, but after review by the county’s Department of Public Works, the plan was revised to include two. Each bump will be 4 inches high with a 2-inch taper, designed to slow traffic while minimizing disruption for vehicles. The installation will also include pavement markings, warning signs, and an advisory speed limit of 15 mph.
Speed bumps will soon be installed on this section of Dover Drive, between Howe Street and Soquel Drive.
Residents of Dover Drive spearheaded the request under the county’s 2007 Policy for Placing Physical Speed Control, which requires support from at least 50% of residents in the affected areas. The petition received 13 signatures from households in the primary area — Dover Drive between Soquel Drive and Howe Street — and 105 signatures from the secondary area, resulting in a 60% approval rate, exceeding the threshold required for board action.
In addition to neighborhood support, the Soquel Union Elementary School District backed the project in a letter to the county’s Department of Public Works. “The safety and well-being of our community members, especially those traveling in and around this area, are of the utmost importance to us,” wrote Alison Warner, the district’s Assistant Superintendent for Business Services. “We believe that the implementation of these speed bumps will positively impact our community by encouraging safer driving behavior and promoting a more peaceful and secure environment for all.”
However, the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County cautioned that speed bumps can impede emergency response times. In a letter to county officials, the district said it did not take a formal position on the matter but noted that “speed bumps delay response times and damage trucks and equipment.” The letter added that “fire apparatus,” which can weigh up to 70,000 pounds, “are designed for rapid response, but are not built to endure repeated abrupt impacts.”
The total project cost is estimated at $16,272. Residents will contribute $8,136, or half of the total, under the county’s unified fee schedule. The remaining cost will be covered by County Service Area 9, which funds local road maintenance and safety improvements. Supervisors also approved a resolution accepting and appropriating the $8,136 in unanticipated revenue from residents to help fund the work.
County officials said the project supports Santa Cruz County’s Equity Framework and Operational Plan for Comprehensive Health and Safety, aimed at improving neighborhood safety and infrastructure.
Construction is expected to begin once scheduling and final preparations are completed by the Department of Public Works.