SANTA CRUZ >> Efforts by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission to soften the edges of one of the county’s most chronically congested areas just got a little easier.

The commission announced Friday that it had scored a $128.7 million grant from the California Transportation Commission that will go to continued implementation of its Watsonville to Santa Cruz Multimodal Corridor Program. The scope of projects within this program, many of which are already underway, include the Highway 1 bus-on-shoulder and auxiliary lane construction from State Park Drive to Freedom Boulevard, the Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 in Aptos, improvements along Soquel Drive and rapid transit upgrades to Santa Cruz Metro services.

“This investment from the CTC is a major win for our community,” the commission’s Executive Director Sarah Christensen said in a release. “This project will transform how people travel across our county — connecting residents to schools, jobs, and essential services with more reliable transit, safer bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and a better overall experience for all travelers. Together, these improvements will enhance the quality of life for residents, while also advancing equity, decreasing congestion and emissions, and creating a more connected and sustainable future for Santa Cruz County.”

Transportation leaders said the major funding windfall will deliver benefits to a notably acute area of congestion colloquially known as the “Aptos Strangler,” where Highway 1, the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line and Soquel Drive all converge near Aptos Village. The award means the final segment of the commission’s 8-mile Highway 1 project is fully funded and that four bicycle and pedestrian highway overcrossings will be constructed as part of the rail trail segment between State Park Drive and Rio Del Mar Boulevard.

Multimodal improvements along Soquel Drive such as the construction of protected bicycle lanes, signal upgrades, sidewalk gap closures, Americans with Disabilities Act curb ramps and enhanced crosswalks will continue along with Metro benefits in the form of in-lane boarding platforms, transit signal priority at 60 traffic lights, shelters and real time traffic displays.

“I’m thrilled to see this grant come to Santa Cruz County, with the majority of these investments directly benefiting District 2,” said county Supervisor Kim De Serpa, who also serves on the transportation commission’s board. “The safety improvements along Soquel Drive — especially those enhancing routes to Aptos schools — are vital for protecting our kids, supporting families, and encouraging safe walking and biking.”

The commission’s award is a slice of the $684.7 million distributed by the state this week in Senate Bill 1 funds through the 2024 Solutions for Congested Corridors and 2024 Local Partnership programs. The local agency was one of only seven projects across California to receive the congested corridors funding and one of 11 chosen for the partnership program.

“This $128.7 million investment marks a transformative moment for Santa Cruz County,” said Eduardo Montesino, chair of the commission. “These funds will deliver long-overdue improvements to the Watsonville to Santa Cruz corridor. It’s a huge step toward a more equitable and climate-friendly future, and I’m proud of the regional collaboration that made this possible.”

Projects funded by this grant are expected to break ground in 2026 and a comprehensive list of planning efforts included within the Watsonville to Santa Cruz Multimodal Corridor Program are at sccrtc.org.