Downtown Watsonville Safety Project
Project Facts
Description:
The California Department of Transportation proposes to construct bulbout curb extensions, construct high visibility ladder style crosswalks with curb ramps, restripe pavement, reconstruct drainage inlets, upgrade pedestrian crossing signs at 4 locations, and upgrade pedestrian flashing beacons at one location. The proposed project is located on State Route 152 in Santa Cruz County, from approximately 250 feet northwest of Freedom Boulevard near Memorial Park to Beck Street. The postmile limits are from postmile T2.45 to postmile 0.714. For the proposed project, Caltrans is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (known as CEQA). Caltrans is also the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act (known as NEPA). Caltrans has determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption under CEQA and a Categorical Exclusion under NEPA and will complete that documentation before project approval.
Project Benefits
Purpose:
The purpose of this project is to reduce the number and severity of collisions at marked cross walks.
Need:
There is a pattern of pedestrian related collisions involving through or turning traffic at marked crosswalks. The 2019 Pedestrian Safety Improvement Monitoring Program has identified the proposed locations as pedestrian related High Collision Concentration Locations.
Estimated Funding Breakdown
| Funding Source | Funding Amount |
|---|---|
| Local | $0 |
| State | $10.13 million |
| Federal | $0 |
| Construction Cost | $4.62 million |
Partnerships
California Transportation Commission, State Historic Preservation Office, City of Watsonville, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Proposed Project Schedule:
| Process | Date |
|---|---|
| Final Environmental document to be completed | Spring 2026 |
| Right of way acquisition to be completed | Spring 2026 |
| Design to be completed | Spring 2026 |
| Advertise | Summer 2026 |
| Construction to begin | Fall/Winter 2026 |
| Construction to be completed | Spring 2029 |
Project Contact Info
Madilyn Jacobsen, Project Manager
(805) 835-6328
Madilyn.Jacobsen@dot.ca.gov
Dianna Beck, Senior Environmental Planner
(805) 459-9406
Dianna.Beck@dot.ca.gov
District 5 Public Information Office
805-549-3318
Info-d5@dot.ca.gov
Section 4(f) de Minimis Memo (PDF)
Caltrans has determined that the project would require an encroachment permit for the Watsonville City Plaza, a Section 4(f) property. Comments regarding the use of the Section 4(f) property are welcome during the 30-day public comment period from March 7, 2025, to April 7, 2025. Please submit comments in writing by U.S. Mail or email no later than April 7, 2025, to Caltrans District 5, Attention: Dianna Beck, Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor), 50 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93401, or by email to Dianna.Beck@dot.ca.gov.
Title VI Information
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assures that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and Federal Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).
Caltrans will make every effort to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether they are federally funded or not, and that services and benefits are fairly distributed to all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin. In addition, Caltrans will facilitate meaningful participation in the transportation planning process in a nondiscriminatory manner.