Soquel Bike Lanes Project Update

Dec 11, 2005

It has been more than two years since the city council ratified bike lanes for the crucial stretch of Soquel Avenue on the east side of Santa Cruz between Seabright Ave. and Capitola Rd.

Backed up by supportive phone calls by councilmembers Mike Rotkin and Ryan Coonerty, People Power recently met with city traffic engineer Chris Schneiter to find out what was going on. When Chris promised to complete the project in the next dry season, we asked for a statement in writing. His response appears below.

Feel free to call Chris or Tom Sharpe (who is working directly on the project) at 420-5422 for updates on the project. They need to know how important their work is to all of us.

Micah,

Thanks for meeting with me today to discuss the Soquel Bike Lanes project. I know that you have been frustrated with the progress on this important bike project. Two very capable staff members (an engineer and technician) were recently assigned to the project after finishing the Beach Street Bikeway design and bidding process. That important bike project is now under construction and weather permitting, should be completed before the end of the calendar year. Thanks for your help in organizing the ribbon cutting.

Staff has made quite a bit of progress on the design, right-of-way and utility issues for the Soquel project. The schedule at this time is to complete the design and bid the project prior to Spring 2006. [Emphasis ours.] Construction would follow in the spring and take approximately 4 months to complete. While I believe that this schedule will be met, we cannot plan for every contingency. Construction in the public right-of-way is consistently complicated and requires the cooperation of many stakeholders. I do want to assure you that this project is the highest priority bike project for the Public Works Department. I appreciate your patience during completion of this project and look forward to another successful project.

Call me at 420-5422 if you have any questions.

Chris Schneiter
Assistant Director/City Engineer