The California Department of Transportation has received many inquiries regarding the emergency repair project on Highway 236-Big Basin Way requiring a full road closure for three to four weeks beginning Monday, June 22.
I would like to assure the community that we have developed repair strategies to restore the road, taking into consideration the unique factors specific to this location. Some of these factors include:
- Limited right-of-way: Caltrans’ property line through this area is not much wider than the roadway.
- Natural physical constraints: A steep, cut bank rises directly from the roadway edge.
- Sensitive habitat: The creek closely paralleling this section of the highway must be protected and avoided during construction.
- Driver safety: The heavy equipment will create large holes and other potential hazards, making the roadway unsafe to traverse during construction.
- Repair timing: Repairs must be completed during dry weather — summer completion avoids impacts during the school year.
Also, daily removal and replacement of temporary railing and pavement repair are not feasible alternatives due to the hours required each day to meet safety standards.
We understand that the closure will require out-of-direction travel on narrow, windy roads for many, and we apologize for the inconveniences the repairs may cause. To detour via the state highway system, motorists are advised to take Highway 9 north to reach the northern half of Highway 236 or other alternate routes, such as Alba Road to Empire Grade Road to Jamison Creek Road.
Our contractor will work six-day weeks, dawn-to-dusk, to expedite the work. Caltrans promises to keep the local community informed, and we intend to open the roadway to one-way controlled traffic as soon as possible.
We are working closely with community groups, county and local emergency response agencies and Santa Cruz Metro to coordinate efforts and alternative routes. Electronic message signs will be placed at appropriate locations. Hundreds of mailers were sent out to the mountain community last week.
To the greatest extent possible, we will have the roadway partially or completely open by the time school starts at the end of summer.
We will do our best to minimize the negative impacts to local residents and visitors traveling Highway 236. We wish there was a less inconvenient alternative. However, the repairs are absolutely necessary.
Colin Jones is District 5 public affairs director for Caltrans.
At a glance
Residents may be added to the Caltrans e-mail update list or may obtain additional information by calling 831-423-0396 or via the Web at http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/maint/road/upscr.htm.
