Mt.Hermon Road/ Scotts Valley Drive intersection overhaul

The Scotts Valley City Council has approved a final design plan for a $758,000 facelift to the sprawling intersection of Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts Valley Drive and Whispering Pines Drive.
The project should ease traffic tie-ups at the city’s busiest intersection, and improve pedestrian safety for the hundreds of school children that cross it daily.
During construction, however, things may get worse before they get better.
The project will:
• Double the length of the left turn lane from northbound Mt. Hermon Road to eastbound Whispering Pines Drive
• Modify existing signals
• Resynchronize intersection timing, and
• Improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.
“The improvements will provide more efficient use of the transportation system by reducing vehicle stops, especially during peak commute hours,” said Public Works Director Scott Hamby, in his report to the city council.
“These improvements are included as a mitigation measure for the Town Center Project.”
Hamby added that by improving traffic flow there is a corresponding reduction in car emissions.
The Regional Transportation Improvement Program will fund $346,000 of the project, with the remainder being paid with city developer impact fees.
Hamby said a contractor will be selected and brought to the council for approval in early summer.
It is not known when work will begin.
Other benefits of the redesign include:
• Green bike boxes.
A bike box is a designated area at the head of a traffic lane at a signalized intersection that provides bicyclists with a safe and visible way to get ahead of queuing traffic during the red signal phase.
• Accessible pedestrian signals thatn include audible, vibrating push buttons.
• Rectangular rapid-flashing beacons southbound to enhance awareness of pedestrians crossing free flow right turn.
• Realigning and widening crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety.
• Larger areas for those on foot to stand while waiting for signal change.
The intersection project was designed by Santa Cruz-based Mesti Miller Engineering, which was awarded the project a bit more than a year ago. Total design fees are $167,856.