The City of Half Moon Bay Initiates Plan for Highway 1 Improvements

Tomorrow the City’s Planning Commission will consider a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for certain Highway 1 Traffic Safety and Congestion Mitigation Improvements in Half Moon Bay.

The Master Plan for these improvements was developed in order to create a safer experience for residents and visitors along Highway 1. The safety measures were formed through extensive public participation over a five-year period and reviewed at several public meetings before its adoption in November 2009.

The proposed CDP will consider phased completion of traffic safety and congestion mitigation improvements upon fund availability in several segments of Highway 1 as described in the City adopted Master Plan.

The highway enhancements are summarized as the following:

1. Two lane stretches would generally be upgraded to three lanes consisting of a single through lane in each direction and a center two-way left turn lane that would become an exclusive left turn lane at intersections. Right turn lanes would be added at intersections with significant volumes of right turns and shoulders would be incorporated on both sides.

2. At all signalized intersections, Highway 1 would have two through lanes in each travel direction and a left turn lane. Right turn lanes would be added at intersections with significant volumes of right turns. These improvements are intended to shorten queues at red signals and move traffic more efficiently through intersections.

3. South Main Street/ Higgins Canyon Road would be reconfigured to intersect Highway 1 more perpendicularly. Northbound vehicles exiting Highway 1 would require right angle turns at the reconfigured intersection. Vehicles from Wavecrest Road turning left would have a protected merge lane on Highway 1.

4. The existing four-through-lane segment of Highway 1, from Kelly Avenue to North Main Street, would be extended north past Terrace Avenue to ease heavy congestion. The existing frontage road on the west side of Highway 1 would be extended south to Grand Boulevard.

5. The existing frontage road connection with Highway 1 would be relocated across from Terrace Avenue or another street intersection in this vicinity. Any future traffic signal at this intersection would require adequate signal warrants and a separate CDP.

6. Young Avenue and Frenchman’s Creek Road would be restricted to right turn only movements on Highway 1.

7. A four-legged intersection would be created at or in the vicinity of Roosevelt Boulevard. This intersection would become the primary entrance to Nurserymen’s Exchange property through its Gate 3 or a new driveway. Any future traffic signal at this intersection would require adequate signal warrants and a separate CDP.

8. Highway 1 would be upgraded to three lanes fronting Half Moon Bay Inn and Sam’s Chowder House to provide safer left turns.