# A Safer Felton: Pedestrian Improvements Town Hall with Caltrans


**Body:** Santa Cruz County
**Date:** October 27, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Transportation, Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding


Santa Cruz County town hall with Caltrans and the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), held October 27, 2026, focused on the Felton Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project (Caltrans project 1M400). Construction began in July 2026 and is expected to continue through August 2027, with Granite Rock as the contractor. The project will add a 4- to 6-foot sidewalk and bikeable shoulder along the southbound side of Highway 9 between Graham Hill Road and San Lorenzo Valley schools, as well as retaining walls, ADA-compliant curb ramps and gutters, and a bus pad at the high school. No contract award or vote was reported. The RTC described Measure D, the half-cent sales tax measure, which includes a $10 million set-aside for San Lorenzo Valley safety and complete-streets improvements; it is also partnering with Caltrans on future Felton and Boulder Creek corridor projects. An earmark from Representative Jimmy Panetta’s office is supporting environmental work along the Highway 9 corridor.

During public questions, residents raised construction-related visibility and traffic concerns, signal timing, bicycle access and safety, overnight work notices, and possible property impacts. Caltrans said its traffic engineers and construction team would review signal timing and the Fall Creek Drive intersection concern, and staff offered follow-up with residents on specific site issues and construction notifications. Caltrans described ongoing weekly construction updates and coordination with CHP on work-zone enforcement. Future corridor projects remain in planning or design and are subject to schedule changes.

**Source:** Santa Cruz County