Highway 236 may close; Stone objects

Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone has asked Caltrans officials to find an alternative to the possible closure of Highway 236 for slip-out repairs.
The agency notified Stone that it might have to close the road for four to six weeks in “early summer,” forcing a half-hour detour for residents living north of the slip- out near Acorn Drive, 2 miles north of Highway 9.
The slip-out happened in early March during heavy spring rains. Motorists have endured delays since then, because only half of the road is passable.
“I am very concerned about the effects such a lengthy closure will have on area residents,” Stone wrote in a letter to Caltrans District Director Richard Krumholz.
“I urge you to investigate all possible alternatives.”
Stone pointed out that closure would have an impact on businesses in Boulder Creek and along Highway 236, hinder emergency responses and create “a major hardship” for commuters, parents taking children to day care or summer school and people with medical appointments.