Should Highway 1Should Highway 1

be widened?be widened?

Caltrans BrochureCaltrans Brochure

The County RegionalThe County Regional

TransportationTransportation

Commission (RTC) plansCommission (RTC) plans

an eight-lane wideningan eight-lane widening

project from Santa Cruzproject from Santa Cruz

to Aptos, including newto Aptos, including new

HOV (High OccupancyHOV (High Occupancy

Vehicle) through lanes, and exit-to-exitVehicle) through lanes, and exit-to-exit

““auxiliary” lanes. The currently estimatedauxiliary” lanes. The currently estimated

cost = $640 million.cost = $640 million.

Soquel Ave. to Morrissey Blvd. is aSoquel Ave. to Morrissey Blvd. is a

segment within the proposed HOVsegment within the proposed HOV

lanes project limits.lanes project limits.

In 2004, county voters defeatedIn 2004, county voters defeated

Measure J, a sales tax measure toMeasure J, a sales tax measure to

widen the highway. It required awiden the highway. It required a

2/3 vote to pass, but was defeated2/3 vote to pass, but was defeated

with a “no” vote of 57% county-with a “no” vote of 57% county-

wide, being approved by only 43%,wide, being approved by only 43%,

far less than the required 2/3.far less than the required 2/3.

Despite the vote against theDespite the vote against the

widening, the Regional widening, the Regional

Transportation Commission began Transportation Commission began

widening the highway in segments.widening the highway in segments.

The The first segmentfirst segment was was

completed (except forcompleted (except for

the landscaping) inthe landscaping) in

2008.2008.

Soquel/Morrissey is the Soquel/Morrissey is the second segmentsecond segment..

La Fonda Bridge would be lengthened toLa Fonda Bridge would be lengthened to

provide space for the full eight lanes. Allprovide space for the full eight lanes. All

the trees and shrubs would be removed,the trees and shrubs would be removed,

and replaced by walls of concrete.and replaced by walls of concrete.

Caltrans is jumping the gun.Caltrans is jumping the gun.

Caltrans is jumping the gun.Caltrans is jumping the gun.

Soquel/Morrissey is a segment of the total Soquel/Morrissey is a segment of the total

project.project.

Caltrans is jumping the gun.Caltrans is jumping the gun.

Soquel/Morrissey is a segment of the total Soquel/Morrissey is a segment of the total

project.project.

The Environmental Impact Report for the The Environmental Impact Report for the

total project is not due to be released until total project is not due to be released until

2013.2013.

Caltrans is jumping the gun.Caltrans is jumping the gun.

Soquel/Morrissey is a segment of the total Soquel/Morrissey is a segment of the total

project.project.

The Environmental Impact Report for the The Environmental Impact Report for the

total project is not due to be released until total project is not due to be released until

2013.2013.

Caltrans has issued an environmental Caltrans has issued an environmental

Negative Declaration for Soquel/Morrissey.Negative Declaration for Soquel/Morrissey.

Caltrans is jumping the gun.Caltrans is jumping the gun.

Soquel/Morrissey is a segment of the total Soquel/Morrissey is a segment of the total

project.project.

The Environmental Impact Report for the The Environmental Impact Report for the

total project is not due to be released until total project is not due to be released until

2013.2013.

Caltrans has issued an environmental Caltrans has issued an environmental

Negative Declaration for Soquel/Morrissey.Negative Declaration for Soquel/Morrissey.

Construction is to begin in July, 2011.Construction is to begin in July, 2011.

Jumping the gun is illegal.Jumping the gun is illegal.

California law clearly states that the environmentalCalifornia law clearly states that the environmental

study of a total project must not be segmented instudy of a total project must not be segmented in

order to avoid analysis of the overall projectorder to avoid analysis of the overall project

impacts.impacts.

In October, 2009:In October, 2009:

The lawsuit requests the court to stop theThe lawsuit requests the court to stop the

Soquel/Morrissey Project until the EnvironmentalSoquel/Morrissey Project until the Environmental

Impact Report for the total Highway 1 project isImpact Report for the total Highway 1 project is

completed, with full consideration of alternatives.completed, with full consideration of alternatives.

When a highway is When a highway is widened:widened:

The new capacityThe new capacity

allows people toallows people to

live farther fromlive farther from

work, generatingwork, generating

new trips andnew trips and

longer trips.longer trips.

When a highway is When a highway is widened:widened:

New cars fill up the space (Generated Traffic).New cars fill up the space (Generated Traffic).

When a highway is widened from 4 to 6 lanes,When a highway is widened from 4 to 6 lanes,

this graph shows what happens to each sidethis graph shows what happens to each side

of the highway if the demand grows at 2%of the highway if the demand grows at 2%

per year:per year:

Historically, demand on Highway 1 has grownHistorically, demand on Highway 1 has grown

at 6% per year.at 6% per year.

Thus, any congestion relief resultingThus, any congestion relief resulting

from adding lanes to Highway 1 isfrom adding lanes to Highway 1 is

not likely to last for more than fivenot likely to last for more than five

years. Caltrans does not account foryears. Caltrans does not account for

Generated TrafficGenerated Traffic, even though its, even though its

existence is well-studied andexistence is well-studied and

documented.documented.

How is congestion reliefHow is congestion relief

like the melting of ice?like the melting of ice?

IceIce WaterWater➡➡

Near the freezing point, only a smallNear the freezing point, only a small

temperature change is needed totemperature change is needed to

transform ice to water. It's a phasetransform ice to water. It's a phase

transition.transition.

Likewise, when a highway is atLikewise, when a highway is at

capacity, only a small reductioncapacity, only a small reduction

in the number of vehicles isin the number of vehicles is

needed to relieve congestion.needed to relieve congestion.

It's also a phase transition. It's also a phase transition.

Congestion Congestion Free-flow traffic Free-flow traffic➡➡

Congestion Congestion Free-flow traffic Free-flow traffic➡➡

One way to reduce the number ofOne way to reduce the number of

vehicles is to install ramp metering,vehicles is to install ramp metering,

but ramp meters have not beenbut ramp meters have not been

analyzed for Highway 1.analyzed for Highway 1.

What the Campaign stands for:What the Campaign stands for: Transportation investments that Transportation investments that

make non-auto travel safe, attractive make non-auto travel safe, attractive and convenient:and convenient:

What the Campaign stands for:What the Campaign stands for: Transportation investments that Transportation investments that

make non-auto travel safe, attractive make non-auto travel safe, attractive and convenient:and convenient:

A better bus systemA better bus system Improved bikeways and routesImproved bikeways and routes A better rail systemA better rail system Implementation of ride-sharingImplementation of ride-sharing Walkable, livable communitiesWalkable, livable communities Reduced greenhouse gas emissionsReduced greenhouse gas emissions

Providing better mobility Providing better mobility

is essential for a viable is essential for a viable

transportation system.transportation system.

Some bus routes, like the UCSC routesSome bus routes, like the UCSC routes

and the 17 Express shown above, areand the 17 Express shown above, are

overloaded.overloaded.

Over 145 “Rails withOver 145 “Rails with

Trails” exist in the U.S.Trails” exist in the U.S.

They are popular, andThey are popular, and

extremely safe.extremely safe.

Our rail line is an idealOur rail line is an ideal

candidate.candidate.

Improved bikeways and routesImproved bikeways and routes

would increase bike commuting.would increase bike commuting.

Acquiring our rail line will allow it toAcquiring our rail line will allow it to

be used for transporting passengersbe used for transporting passengers

in addition to freight.in addition to freight.

Safe Routes to SchoolSafe Routes to School

A lifetime ofA lifetime of

being active canbeing active can

begin on the waybegin on the way

to school.to school.

Safe routes to school will allowSafe routes to school will allow

people not to drive.people not to drive.

Ride-sharing ProgramsRide-sharing Programs

Santa Cruz-based RideSpring reducesSanta Cruz-based RideSpring reduces

solo-drive commuting with carpoolsolo-drive commuting with carpool

matching and alternative commutematching and alternative commute

incentives.incentives.

Walkable CommunitiesWalkable Communities

Many communitiesMany communities

are working toare working to

make their spacesmake their spaces

more walkable, andmore walkable, and

therefore moretherefore more

livable.livable.Athens, GeorgiaAthens, Georgia

Walkable communities reduce car trips.Walkable communities reduce car trips.

In a well planned In a well planned

community, people don't community, people don't

feel forced to drive.feel forced to drive.

But the RTC's Top Priority But the RTC's Top Priority

is for Highway Wideningis for Highway Widening

As long as the top fundingAs long as the top funding

priority is for highwaypriority is for highway

widening, we won't be ablewidening, we won't be able

to achieve a well plannedto achieve a well planned

community.community.

Popular opinion supportsPopular opinion supports

sustainable transportation:sustainable transportation:

““We must accept that global warming is a problemWe must accept that global warming is a problem

and should have long term planning in Santa Cruzand should have long term planning in Santa Cruz

County that will result in less individual car use andCounty that will result in less individual car use and

more efficient transportation choices.”more efficient transportation choices.”

Popular opinion supportsPopular opinion supports

sustainable transportation:sustainable transportation:

““We must accept that global warming is a problemWe must accept that global warming is a problem

and should have long term planning in Santa Cruzand should have long term planning in Santa Cruz

County that will result in less individual car use andCounty that will result in less individual car use and

more efficient transportation choices.”more efficient transportation choices.”

Agree = 75%Agree = 75%

““We need to drastically reduce our reliance onWe need to drastically reduce our reliance on

cars in Santa Cruz County, even if doing so iscars in Santa Cruz County, even if doing so is

difficult for us to do today.”difficult for us to do today.”

““We need to drastically reduce our reliance onWe need to drastically reduce our reliance on

cars in Santa Cruz County, even if doing so iscars in Santa Cruz County, even if doing so is

difficult for us to do today.”difficult for us to do today.”

Agree = 59%Agree = 59%

Back to the Campaign's Back to the Campaign's Lawsuit:Lawsuit:

Winning our lawsuit will guide us to aWinning our lawsuit will guide us to a

more sustainable community.more sustainable community.

Our lawsuit will cost a total of $40,000Our lawsuit will cost a total of $40,000

in fees, plus about $6,000 in costs.in fees, plus about $6,000 in costs.

So far we have raised over $43,000So far we have raised over $43,000

from supportive community members.from supportive community members.

We need to complete the job.We need to complete the job.

Please consider helping us Please consider helping us complete the job by making a complete the job by making a donation to the Campaign for donation to the Campaign for

Sensible Transportation.Sensible Transportation.

Just Just click hereclick here to donate. to donate.

ReferencesReferences

A copy of our lawsuit may be found A copy of our lawsuit may be found herehere..

A short video by Peter Calthorpe on A short video by Peter Calthorpe on transit-oriented development may be transit-oriented development may be found found herehere..

Visit Visit RideSpringRideSpring to see a short video about to see a short video about how they provide alternative commute how they provide alternative commute services to employers.services to employers.

More ReferencesMore References

To learn more about Safe Routes to To learn more about Safe Routes to School, click School, click herehere..

To learn more about Generated Traffic, To learn more about Generated Traffic, Latent Demand and Induced Travel, an Latent Demand and Induced Travel, an excellent recent paper is that by Todd excellent recent paper is that by Todd Litman. To obtain a copy, click Litman. To obtain a copy, click herehere..

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