Highway 92 to Half Moon Bay congestion - how did we get here?

Started by Voyager, January 02, 2025, 12:40:04 PM

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Voyager

Not sure the topic title is the best so let me explain -

Going to Half Moon Bay at most times of the day is horrifically bad. It's a major city - 20,000 people across all the different towns/districts and yet there's only two lane roads serving it? I understand this is probably an extreme case of NIMBY in effect, but how did they successfully not only create a horrendous and unsafe bottlneck for visitors, but also themselves? I looked back at old highway maps of 92/1 and it looks like both had freeway adoptions (I think the 92 one involving a bridge over the San Andreas Fault and tunnel through the hillside was definitely always too extreme for Calfornia to build, but there must have been other alternatives on the current routing), but highway 1 has Caltrains ROW that was purchased and is still obviously visible as a pathway alongside the current 1 lane road.

I'm just curious what forces allowed this to happen, and if there's ever going to be a way to fix it? Even something as small as adding a left turn lane to the Pastorino Farms stores would fix a massive amount of traffic, but that hasn't even been done. Also, if anyone has more in-depth history on this (I haven't been able to find much), that would be kind of neat to see what was originally planned.
AARoads Forum Original


Max Rockatansky

#1
The adoption for 1 was pretty fascinating.  Essentially the planned freeway was going to barrel over San Pedro Mountain and obliterate much of the pre-1937 alignment. 

I always got the impression that people on the coastal side of the Santa Cruz range like to be left to their own devices.  The fear always seems to have been that if access was opened up that the coast would become another suburban hellscape.  Under that mentality I can get why so many people fought so hard against freeways in the area.

Who wants to wager on when K12 finds this thread and complains about the "sad little coastal bluffs" he despises so much?

Voyager

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 01:15:05 PMThe adoption for 1 was pretty fascinating.  Essentially the planned freeway was going to barrel over San Pedro Mountain and obliterate much of the pre-1937 alignment. 

I always got the impression that people on the coastal side of the Santa Cruz range like to be left to their own devices.  The fear always seems to have been that if access was opened up that the coast would become another suburban hellscape.  Under that mentality I can get why so many people fought so hard against freeways in the area.

Who wants to wager on when K12 finds this thread and complains about the "sad little coastal bluffs" he despises so much?

I remember seeing the highway 1 bypass going alongside the hills on the eastern side of the entire city after Devils Slide, but I'm also curious as to why the current 1 lane alignment has such a large ROW that was turned partially into a walkway for the whole length. You can see there was definitely a plan for a 4 lane road at least (which would have at least reduced the current hellscape quite a bit).
AARoads Forum Original

Max Rockatansky

Quote from: Voyager on January 02, 2025, 02:36:04 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 01:15:05 PMThe adoption for 1 was pretty fascinating.  Essentially the planned freeway was going to barrel over San Pedro Mountain and obliterate much of the pre-1937 alignment. 

I always got the impression that people on the coastal side of the Santa Cruz range like to be left to their own devices.  The fear always seems to have been that if access was opened up that the coast would become another suburban hellscape.  Under that mentality I can get why so many people fought so hard against freeways in the area.

Who wants to wager on when K12 finds this thread and complains about the "sad little coastal bluffs" he despises so much?

I remember seeing the highway 1 bypass going alongside the hills on the eastern side of the entire city after Devils Slide, but I'm also curious as to why the current 1 lane alignment has such a large ROW that was turned partially into a walkway for the whole length. You can see there was definitely a plan for a 4 lane road at least (which would have at least reduced the current hellscape quite a bit).

My understanding was that the Tom Lantos Tunnels had cycling lanes factored into the design.  They can be used during emergencies to get traffic out of the tunnels faster.

I don't know why a cyclist would want to use the tunnel anyways when they have Devil's Slide sitting right next door.  I've encountered a couple people from Pacifica that regularly cycle even over Old Pedro Mountain Road since it is closed to motorized traffic.

Voyager

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 02:48:32 PM
Quote from: Voyager on January 02, 2025, 02:36:04 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 01:15:05 PMThe adoption for 1 was pretty fascinating.  Essentially the planned freeway was going to barrel over San Pedro Mountain and obliterate much of the pre-1937 alignment. 

I always got the impression that people on the coastal side of the Santa Cruz range like to be left to their own devices.  The fear always seems to have been that if access was opened up that the coast would become another suburban hellscape.  Under that mentality I can get why so many people fought so hard against freeways in the area.

Who wants to wager on when K12 finds this thread and complains about the "sad little coastal bluffs" he despises so much?

I remember seeing the highway 1 bypass going alongside the hills on the eastern side of the entire city after Devils Slide, but I'm also curious as to why the current 1 lane alignment has such a large ROW that was turned partially into a walkway for the whole length. You can see there was definitely a plan for a 4 lane road at least (which would have at least reduced the current hellscape quite a bit).

My understanding was that the Tom Lantos Tunnels had cycling lanes factored into the design.  They can be used during emergencies to get traffic out of the tunnels faster.

I don't know why a cyclist would want to use the tunnel anyways when they have Devil's Slide sitting right next door.  I've encountered a couple people from Pacifica that regularly cycle even over Old Pedro Mountain Road since it is closed to motorized traffic.

I'm actually referring to the stretch of 1 between the 92 intersection and Capistrano Rd. It's very obviously created for a 4 lane highway, but the extra space was converted to a bike lane/walkway at some point instead, leaving only the 4 lane sections at 92/1 and Capistrano Rd. The rest is only 2 lanes and VERY often backed up.
AARoads Forum Original

Max Rockatansky

#5
Quote from: Voyager on January 02, 2025, 04:14:12 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 02:48:32 PM
Quote from: Voyager on January 02, 2025, 02:36:04 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 01:15:05 PMThe adoption for 1 was pretty fascinating.  Essentially the planned freeway was going to barrel over San Pedro Mountain and obliterate much of the pre-1937 alignment. 

I always got the impression that people on the coastal side of the Santa Cruz range like to be left to their own devices.  The fear always seems to have been that if access was opened up that the coast would become another suburban hellscape.  Under that mentality I can get why so many people fought so hard against freeways in the area.

Who wants to wager on when K12 finds this thread and complains about the "sad little coastal bluffs" he despises so much?

I remember seeing the highway 1 bypass going alongside the hills on the eastern side of the entire city after Devils Slide, but I'm also curious as to why the current 1 lane alignment has such a large ROW that was turned partially into a walkway for the whole length. You can see there was definitely a plan for a 4 lane road at least (which would have at least reduced the current hellscape quite a bit).

My understanding was that the Tom Lantos Tunnels had cycling lanes factored into the design.  They can be used during emergencies to get traffic out of the tunnels faster.

I don't know why a cyclist would want to use the tunnel anyways when they have Devil's Slide sitting right next door.  I've encountered a couple people from Pacifica that regularly cycle even over Old Pedro Mountain Road since it is closed to motorized traffic.

I'm actually referring to the stretch of 1 between the 92 intersection and Capistrano Rd. It's very obviously created for a 4 lane highway, but the extra space was converted to a bike lane/walkway at some point instead, leaving only the 4 lane sections at 92/1 and Capistrano Rd. The rest is only 2 lanes and VERY often backed up.

Ah that, yes that is a vestige of a much larger expressway plan.  The original alignment in-town along Main Street probably was one hell of a bottleneck.

Put this together a couple year ago, it seems topical to the conversation at hand:

https://www.gribblenation.org/2021/08/former-alignments-of-california-state.html?m=1

The Half Moon Bay Bypass comes into the picture circa 1954.  That was an era when the Division of Highways could pretty much built whatever they wanted without seeking much community input.

kernals12

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 01:15:05 PMWho wants to wager on when K12 finds this thread and complains about the "sad little coastal bluffs" he despises so much?


You know me so well.

kernals12

How about a compromise: a BART extension to Half Moon Bay.

Max Rockatansky

The Ocean Shore Railway had a foot hold long ago and didn't work out.

kernals12

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 05:09:28 PMThe Ocean Shore Railway had a foot hold long ago and didn't work out.
Unlike OSR, BART doesn't need to make a profit

Max Rockatansky

Quote from: kernals12 on January 02, 2025, 05:36:16 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 05:09:28 PMThe Ocean Shore Railway had a foot hold long ago and didn't work out.
Unlike OSR, BART doesn't need to make a profit

It also doesn't have the ideal right of way available that the Ocean Shore did.  Even if Devil's Slide was available that area is way too unstable to be anything beyond a pedestrian path. 

Getting another tunnel through the monolith that of San Pedro Mountain is probably implausible enough even for the most hardened transit enthusiast.  Even then, I suspect the locals would view a transit line with the same ire they did with freeways. 

Max Rockatansky

I do wonder if one of my favorite haggard signs is still on CA 92 just east of Half Moon Bay?

https://flic.kr/p/244C8MZ

Rothman

When I lived in the Bay Area, the drive to Half Moon Bay was fine as it was.  And that was even with CA 1 closed to the north due to a massive landslide.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

Plutonic Panda

Quote from: kernals12 on January 02, 2025, 05:06:23 PMHow about a compromise: a BART extension to Half Moon Bay.
It probably won't ever happen, but they really should build some kind of commuter train there

Voyager

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 06:03:46 PMI do wonder if one of my favorite haggard signs is still on CA 92 just east of Half Moon Bay?

https://flic.kr/p/244C8MZ

It is! The shields are now just white though.

Quote from: Rothman on January 02, 2025, 08:28:09 PMWhen I lived in the Bay Area, the drive to Half Moon Bay was fine as it was.  And that was even with CA 1 closed to the north due to a massive landslide.

It definitely is not now. Any weekend it isn't raining expect 30 min to an hour delay due to people turning to the nurseries without protected left turn lanes being available. Not sure about weekday commute traffic.
AARoads Forum Original

kernals12

Coastal San Mateo County is kind of a microcosm of California's real estate issues, bound on one side by water and on the other side by fire-prone hills

Rothman

Quote from: Voyager on January 03, 2025, 12:43:50 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 06:03:46 PMI do wonder if one of my favorite haggard signs is still on CA 92 just east of Half Moon Bay?

https://flic.kr/p/244C8MZ

It is! The sheilds are now just white though.

Quote from: Rothman on January 02, 2025, 08:28:09 PMWhen I lived in the Bay Area, the drive to Half Moon Bay was fine as it was.  And that was even with CA 1 closed to the north due to a massive landslide.

It definitely is not now. Any weekend it isn't raining expect 30 min to an hour delay due to people turning to the nurseries without protected left turn lanes being available. Not sure about weekday commute traffic.

People need trees every sunny weekend?
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

Voyager

Quote from: Rothman on January 03, 2025, 01:28:31 PM
Quote from: Voyager on January 03, 2025, 12:43:50 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 02, 2025, 06:03:46 PMI do wonder if one of my favorite haggard signs is still on CA 92 just east of Half Moon Bay?

https://flic.kr/p/244C8MZ

It is! The sheilds are now just white though.

Quote from: Rothman on January 02, 2025, 08:28:09 PMWhen I lived in the Bay Area, the drive to Half Moon Bay was fine as it was.  And that was even with CA 1 closed to the north due to a massive landslide.

It definitely is not now. Any weekend it isn't raining expect 30 min to an hour delay due to people turning to the nurseries without protected left turn lanes being available. Not sure about weekday commute traffic.

People need trees every sunny weekend?

It's a combination of people wanting to get out of the "Bay Area" and go to the beach/down the coast/the nurseries. Tomorrow and Sunday look at the traffic though - you'll see what I mean. Highway 1 gets horribly backed up near Sams Chowder house (for the same reason) and 92 gets backed up down the hill from 35 to the Half Moon Bay Nursery before 2pm and going the other way from 1/92 after 4pm.
AARoads Forum Original

Max Rockatansky

FWIW I can vouch for 92 being generally being close to as bad as Voyager is describing near Half Moon Bay.  Generally, when I hike the area, I try to avoid making the mistake of bailing out on eastbound CA 92.  Usually, I'll just go south on CA 1 and deal the multi-lane bottleneck on the freeway when I get to Santa Cruz instead. 

Plutonic Panda

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 03, 2025, 01:48:11 PMFWIW I can vouch for 92 being generally being close to as bad as Voyager is describing near Half Moon Bay.  Generally, when I hike the area, I try to avoid making the mistake of bailing out on eastbound CA 92.  Usually, I'll just go south on CA 1 and deal the multi-lane bottleneck on the freeway when I get to Santa Cruz instead. 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but are they not adding celery lanes in this area?

Max Rockatansky

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 03, 2025, 02:04:47 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 03, 2025, 01:48:11 PMFWIW I can vouch for 92 being generally being close to as bad as Voyager is describing near Half Moon Bay.  Generally, when I hike the area, I try to avoid making the mistake of bailing out on eastbound CA 92.  Usually, I'll just go south on CA 1 and deal the multi-lane bottleneck on the freeway when I get to Santa Cruz instead. 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but are they not adding celery lanes in this area?

Yes, it should be of some help.  That freeway opened in the late 1940s.

Plutonic Panda

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 03, 2025, 02:14:04 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 03, 2025, 02:04:47 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 03, 2025, 01:48:11 PMFWIW I can vouch for 92 being generally being close to as bad as Voyager is describing near Half Moon Bay.  Generally, when I hike the area, I try to avoid making the mistake of bailing out on eastbound CA 92.  Usually, I'll just go south on CA 1 and deal the multi-lane bottleneck on the freeway when I get to Santa Cruz instead. 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but are they not adding celery lanes in this area?

Yes, it should be of some help.  That freeway opened in the late 1940s.
That will be nice. This is where I often get backed up during congestion. Well that and Lompoc and sometimes by Vandenberg AFB Which I can understand why they don't simply just build a roundabout there. Bonus points, if they would build a tunnel under the roundabout for CA-1 traffic.

Edit: I just realized on my other post, I said celery lanes, Obviously I met auxiliary.

Rothman

Max did a good job faking knowing what you meant. :D
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

Max Rockatansky

My wife has trained me well on auto correct speak.  She frequently texts me stuff like that and I end up having to figure out what she really meant.  I think my accuracy rate is now about 75%.  Doesn't hurt that I'm on 1 in Santa Cruz about every other month and have been keeping up with the current project corridor. 

Max Rockatansky

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 03, 2025, 02:19:34 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 03, 2025, 02:14:04 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on January 03, 2025, 02:04:47 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 03, 2025, 01:48:11 PMFWIW I can vouch for 92 being generally being close to as bad as Voyager is describing near Half Moon Bay.  Generally, when I hike the area, I try to avoid making the mistake of bailing out on eastbound CA 92.  Usually, I'll just go south on CA 1 and deal the multi-lane bottleneck on the freeway when I get to Santa Cruz instead. 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but are they not adding celery lanes in this area?

Yes, it should be of some help.  That freeway opened in the late 1940s.
That will be nice. This is where I often get backed up during congestion. Well that and Lompoc and sometimes by Vandenberg AFB Which I can understand why they don't simply just build a roundabout there. Bonus points, if they would build a tunnel under the roundabout for CA-1 traffic.

Edit: I just realized on my other post, I said celery lanes, Obviously I met auxiliary.

Why stick to 1 though unless you are heading to Vandenburg?  Harris Grade Road (old 1) is so much faster given it is five miles shorter.

I would imagine whoever manages base safety at Vandenburg is probably not keen on roundabout.  Those guys aren't engineers and come up with bizarre traffic control ideas in the "interest of safety" don't work. 



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