Bay and Hill St. Intersection Quick-Build

The City of Capitola has recently undertaken a short-term safety enhancement project at the intersection of Bay Avenue and Hill Street. This initiative aims to improve safety for all users of the intersection, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Key Changes Include:

• Reduced Travel Lanes: Two travel lanes have been removed to decrease congestion and reduce the number of vehicles entering the intersection simultaneously.
• Pedestrian Safety: Sidewalks have been extended with blue paint, shortening pedestrian crossing distances and minimizing the time spent in the path of vehicles and bicycles.
• Bicycle Safety: Buffered bike lanes, marked with green paint, have been introduced to provide greater separation between cyclists and motor vehicles.

We recognize that these changes represent a significant shift and are ready to hear your feedback. 

Prior to implementing this design, City staff engaged in several months of outreach with local businesses and residents. This project is part of a broader corridor study examining all intersections on Bay Avenue from Hwy 1 to the village.

Location: 

Bay Ave. and Hill St.

Updates:

• Construction started Wednesday July 17, 2024
• ​Bollards installed on August 7, 2024

Background information: 

• The Bay Avenue and Hill Street intersection, a key all-way stop connecting Highway 1 and Capitola Village, has raised community concerns about pedestrian safety due to heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, especially during peak hours.
• The City's FY 2023-24 budget includes $50,000 for improvements at this intersection.
• On September 28, 2023, the City Council formed an ad-hoc subcommittee to explore short-term solutions and gather public feedback.
• In November 2023, the City amended its contract with Kimley Horn to develop quick-build traffic safety improvements and conduct updated traffic analysis for long-term design enhancements at Bay Avenue/Hill Street and Bay Avenue/Capitola Avenue intersections.
• A community meeting on November 29 highlighted safety concerns along the entire Bay Avenue corridor.
• City Council directed staff to install lighted stop signs, pole reflectors, and re-stripe the crosswalk with reflective paint, which was completed in early 2024.
• Staff is assessing long-term options for Bay Avenue, with an initial analysis expected by late summer or early fall of 2024.
• On February 22, 2024, the City Council authorized the construction of the proposed Bay Avenue/Hill Street intersection quick-build project, which is now under construction.
• These modifications are designed to be temporary measures to assess their effectiveness. Safety considerations are paramount, with all parties emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety in the evaluation of these temporary traffic interventions.
   

We want to thank all in the community for their interest and support regarding the Bay Ave. and Hill St. Quick Build Project. 

For all inquiries related to this project direct your emails to capitoladpw@ci.capitola.ca.us 

Please review our website as we update the community on our plans