Bean Creek Road bike lane project gains momentum

Bean Creek Road is getting a makeover — in the form of new bike lanes and road restoration.
The Scotts Valley City Council approved contracts this week for the Bean Creek Road bike lane construction and a Bean Creek Road rehabilitation project, both slated for completion by the end of the year.
The bike lanes will extend from Scotts Valley Drive to Blue Bonnet Lane, stretching about a half-mile down Bean Creek Road and allowing Scotts Valley Middle School students a safer way to Skypark.
“This is all to increase demand for nonmotorized transportation, reduce congestion and improve air quality and safety,” said city traffic engineer Majod Yamin.
Installing the bike lanes on Bean Creek Road also requires widening the street in some areas, Yamin said, adding that a concrete curb and gutter also will be built wherever needed.
The funding will come from the state’s Bicycle Transportation Account, which is monitored by Caltrans.
The $185,592 contract for the project was awarded to Watsonville-based Granite Rock Pavex Construction Division.
Under the rehabilitation project, meanwhile, repairs to Bean Creek Road will be followed the addition of a road sealant and a 2-inch asphalt overlay along the same stretch.
The placement of new road striping — including a bike lane — will be the final step in the process, Yamin said.
The council awarded the $157,873 rehabilitation contract to Granite Construction, also based in Watsonville.
Funding for this project will come from federal stimulus money, managed through the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and Caltrans.
Originally, the city applied for bike lanes to be installed on Green Hills Road almost a decade ago. However, costs for construction were more than the money allocated by the Bicycle Transportation Account, Yamin said, and the plans changed.
Caltrans later approved bike lanes for Hacienda, Vine Hill School and Bean Creek roads, instead.
The bike lanes on Hacienda and Vine Hill School roads were completed last year.
“It’s been a long process,” Yamin said, “and the city tried to choose areas near schools for student safety.”
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