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January 24, 2006
January 24, 2006 - February 6, 2006
Volume XVII, Issue 2
In This Issue...
Structural Repairs Underway at Crumbling La Selva Beach Trestle
Four Candidates Surface to Run for County Superintendent of Schools in June
Superintendent Diane Siri Announces Retirement after 12 years in Office
Live Oak Neighbors Meet to Discuss Improving Pedestrian and Bike Safety
Seacliff May Finally Get a Park
County to Spend $460,000 on Design for New Animal Shelter
Seven Dogs Seized From Unlicensed Breeder in Felton
Soquel School District Teachers Seek Better Contract
Congressman Sam Farr Gets Credit for Saving Capitola VA Clinic from Closing
County’s Voting Machine Upgrades Still Delayed by State Certification
Group Promotes Support for Mentally Ill Though “Listening Well”
Caltrans Promises Safety Improvements to Highway 17
911
Capitola’s Elder Abuse Task Force
Crime Beat - Jan. 24, 2006
Around Aptos
The Greatest Showcase on Earth turns 21!
Business
Students of All Ages Find Success with Club Z! Tutoring
Health
The Changing Face of Fitness
History
A Casual Walk with a Sidewalk Companion
The Day the Music Died
Opinions
Garbage Collection and a Rate Increase
Letters - Jan. 24, 2006
The Mid-County Post > News
Caltrans Promises Safety Improvements to Highway 17
12-Car Pileup at Site of Deadly New Year’s Crash
By Michael Thomas
On Saturday, Jan. 21, at least 12 vehicles collided in a pileup on Highway 17 during hours when heavy fog blanketed the roadway and dampened the asphalt. There were no serious injuries, but the accident took place at virtually the same spot as a New Year’s Eve crash that took the life of a CHP lieutenant and a Boulder Creek man.

Caltrans, which is responsible for maintaining the highway, says that safety improvements are on the way. The agency plans to build four new retaining walls, replace the center median and install new drainage systems along the now-notorious stretch of road.

According to Caltrans spokesperson Susana Zavala, funds are “pretty much programmed” for the $7.2 million project. However, programmed funds have often been delayed by State budget problems and the project isn’t scheduled to begin until the summer of 2007. The work is expected to take a year.

In the meantime, CHP Sgt. Scott Wood said that January was a busy month for accidents on Highway 17, with 38 minor collisions and eight involving injuries in just 22 days. Ambulances and fire engines were dispatched to Highway 17 more than a dozen times during the week of Jan. 16.

Wood cautioned drivers to be wary of reduced visibility on curves.

“Its not during the storm that accidents happen. It’s typically after the sun comes out,” Wood added.

The Glenwood Curves Safety Project area covers southbound Highway 17 from approximately Glenwood Drive to a mile south of Highway 35. The retaining walls will vary from 4 to 12-feet high, supported by an expanded shoulder built using “soil nail” anchors driven into the earth.
Zavala confirmed that the area where CHP Lt. Michael Walker and Jerry Blinkerberg were killed is within the project area.

The project’s Draft Initial Study is currently available for public review and comment. Copies can be viewed at Central Library at 224 Church Street in Santa Cruz. For more info or updates on the project, Zavala can be reached at 831-423-0396 or at info-d5@dot.ca.gov.
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