City Of Half Moon Bay: Southern Segment Of Highway 1 Safety Project Complete

Press release from the City of Half Moon Bay:

October 20, 2021

Today the City of Half Moon Bay announces the completion of the southern segment of its Highway 1 South Safety Project.

Half Moon Bay, CA – The City of Half Moon Bay is pleased to announce the completion of the southern segment of its Highway 1 South Safety Project, located at the intersection of South Main Street and Highway 1. The completed project provides significant safety improvements to this critical north-south arterial roadway serving Downtown Half Moon Bay, the local community, and the entire Coastside. The full reopening of the intersection was completed yesterday, October 19.

The intersection has been signalized and reconfigured to eliminate the former “high-speed” right turn onto South Main Street from northbound Highway 1. The right turn to Main Street from southbound Highway 1 is also modified, and three signalized pedestrian crossings across Highway 1/Main Street have been added. This is a particularly important improvement as the closest signalized pedestrian crossings were previously 0.3-miles to the north and 0.7-miles to the south. Additionally, a bike-box (pavement markings providing a place in front of the vehicular stop line for bicyclists to queue-up at a red light) is now in place on southbound Main Street. 

The entire adjacent intersection of South Main Street and Higgins Canyon Road has been realigned, and landscaped highway medians and adjustments in turning lanes are in place to further improve safety and aesthetics for this section of Highway 1. Finally, overhead utility lines crossing Highway 1 were placed underground, and two large concrete entry structures and landscape improvements were installed to help create a revitalized southern gateway to Half Moon Bay. 

“This important project was completed on time and on budget, and we’re thrilled to provide a safer, more usable intersection for the people of the Half Moon Bay and the Coastside,” said Half Moon Bay Vice Mayor Debbie Ruddock. “This is the kind of project that benefit all in our community - students, families, and adult, motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, locals, Coastsiders, and anyone traveling on near our city. Many thanks to the San Mateo County Transportation Agency for providing the vast majority of funding from Measure A funds, which were supplemented by City funds.”

The total cost of the project was $5.3 million which includes $600,000 for design/environmental clearance/permits, $500,000 for utility relocation, and $4.2 million for construction. The San Mateo County Transportation Agency provided about $4 million, and Half Moon Bay contributed $1.3 million for design and construction. The northern part of the Highway 1 Safety Improvements project, in the area of Main Street to Spindrift Way, has been designed and is anticipated to get underway within the next few years.

This press release was produced by the City of Half Moon Bay. The views expressed here are the author’s own.