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As gas prices skyrocket, interest in nonmotorized transit, such as
walking and biking, is increasing. But even if people are ready to hit
the pavement, the pavement might not be ready for them.
As gas prices skyrocket, interest in nonmotorized transit, such as walking and biking, is increasing. But even if people are ready to hit the pavement, the pavement might not be ready for them.
For San Lorenzo Valley residents between Boulder Creek and Felton, Highway 9 is the primary — and sometimes only — option to reach businesses and school by foot or bike. But the two-lane highway is not especially pedestrian or cyclist-friendly.
Blind curves, areas with mere inches of shoulder, falling mountain debris, low-light conditions, inexperienced tourist traffic, drunken drivers and speeders are some of the reasons the road can be a hazard to pedestrians’ health.
Highway 9 in SLV has seen seven injury accidents and one fatal crash involving a pedestrian or cyclist since 2005, according to Grant Boles of the California Highway Patrol.
The Regional Transportation Commission and Public Works Department are aware of the need to improve the bicycle and pedestrian routes. A Caltrans grant in 2002 allowed public works to conduct a feasibility study for a pedestrian and bike route from Boulder Creek to Santa Cruz.
The SLV Trail Feasibility Study report, issued in 2006, outlined three alternatives between Felton and Santa Cruz:
- Improve Highway 9
- Build a trail along the railroad tracks of Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific tourist railroad
- Build a route along Graham Hill Road
The Highway 9 project was dismissed as least desirable, and public works showed interest in starting the Graham Hill Road project. But it met with heavy public opposition.
“Graham Hill was dropped primarily because, even with a bike lane, it would be a lousy route for bicyclists and pedestrians — too many cars, too hot and too steep,” said Micah Posner, a leader of People Power, a county cyclists’ advocacy group.
“People would still choose to ride Highway 9. This was the clear message given to public works from every member of the public involved in the process.”
The last public decision was that the ideal Felton-to-Santa Cruz route would be a trail along the rails, a five-mile project that is expected to cost about $25 million. Beyond this decision, little has been done to move the project forward.
The only route studied between Felton and Boulder Creek was along Highway 9. This collection of improvement projects amounted to an estimated cost of between $21 million and $23 million. Similarly, little has been done to move this project along.
The money needed for projects like these is sometimes available via state and federal grants. But application paperwork is time-intensive for the already busy Regional Transportation Commission.
In addition, noticeable grassroots public involvement has been missing.
“There hasn’t been enough public interest to push this issue to the top of the list,” Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone said.
As more people want safe roads for walking and biking, though, the issue is hitting the radar. People Power is one of the vocal activist groups in the county familiar with the SLV Trail Feasibility Study.
The group also has several other ideas for SLV. One is to shut down a portion of Highway 9 to motorists, creating a “greenway” for cyclists and pedestrians.
The suggested section is between the north and south boundaries of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, a several-mile stretch with no residences or businesses.
While the idea obviously would raise protests from drivers, all that would be required technically is construction of two turnarounds for autos.
“The cost would be negligible to create two turnarounds on the highway,” Posner said. “It would also be less expensive for Caltrans to keep this difficult, landslide-prone section of highway open to pedestrians-bicyclists than it would be to maintain it for autos.”
The greenway idea wouldn’t be impossible with enough public support, according to Caltrans spokeswoman Susana Cruz.
“People would need to push their legislators through feasibility studies and meetings to make it happen,” she said.
That’s the push for which People Power is hoping.
“We are eager to join with SLV residents who want to improve walking and biking conditions,” Posner said.
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