PRESS RELEASE.
Yesterday, Wednesday, October 13th, 2021, we celebrated the completion of the southern segment of Half Moon Bay’s Highway 1 Safety Project. This project is one that touches all parts of our community, whether you live here and use the road regularly, or are a visitor passing through.
With the new signalized intersection, protected turns for vehicles, safer crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists, two new entry structures, and landscape improvements, this is really an entirely new southern gateway to our community and something we are extremely proud of.
This is now a safer, more usable intersection and roadway for the people of Half Moon Bay and the Coastside.
Traffic signals will go live and the intersection will be fully operational next Wednesday!
More on the South Gateway on Coastside Buzz
City HMB Breaks Ground on New Intersection Design for South Gateway at Hwy 1, Main and Higgins
PRESS RELEASE. City Breaks Ground on Highway 1 Safety Operational Improvements – South Gateway New Intersection Design, Signals at Highway 1/Main Street/Higgins Canyon Road.
Half Moon Bay, CA – October 1, 2020 – The City of Half Moon Bay officially began work on significant safety improvements to a critical Highway 1 intersection serving Downtown, the community, and the coastside. A small groundbreaking ceremony today commemorated the start of reconstruction and improvement of the intersection of Highway 1/Main Street/Higgins Canyon Road.
The intersection, currently regulated by stop signs, will be signalized and reconfigured to eliminate the “high-speed” right turn from northbound Highway 1. The right turn to Main Street from the south will be modified, and three signalized pedestrian crossings across Highway 1/Main Street will be added. The current closest signalized pedestrian crossings are ½-mile to the north and 1-mile to the south. Additionally, a bike-box (pavement markings providing a place in front of the vehicular stop line for bicyclists to queue up at a red light) will be placed on southbound Main Street.
The entire intersection with Higgins Canyon Road will be realigned, and landscaped highway medians and adjustments in turning lanes will further improve safety and aesthetics for this section of Highway 1. The project includes two large concrete entry structures and landscape improvements to create a South Gateway to Main Street. The project is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.
“We’re excited to see this important traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian safety project get underway, with many thanks to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Measure A grant funding” said Half Moon Bay Mayor Adam Eisen. “Not only will this project improve this much-used intersection and make it safer for all uses, it will be a new, more attractive gateway into our City.”
This is the South portion of the City’s Highway 1 Safety Operational Improvements Project, which is a set of roadway, signalization, and pedestrian features and upgrades designed to increase safety and improve traffic flow along Highway 1 through portions of Half Moon Bay. Together with the North section, the project as a whole also provides improved response times for emergency vehicles, and median landscaping for enhanced aesthetics.
More information on the South part of the project, including design renderings of this intersection, is online here. For information on the North part of the project, visit this web page.
In 2012, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) awarded the City $3.5 million for design, right-of-way, and construction for each of the two projects (for a total of $7 million). After allocating funds in 2018 for design, in 2019 (following Caltrans’ approval of the project plans and specifications) the SMCTA Board allocated funds for the construction phase of the Highway 1 South Project. Following the project construction bid opening, SMCTA agreed to an increase of its original construction funding commitment, and on July 9, 2020, approved an additional $440,000 for construction of the Project for a total project cost, including design & environmental, of $4,600,000.
Highway 1 is a critical north-south arterial that connects residents to services, shopping, and activities in Half Moon Bay. School-age children utilize the corridor for access to and from their schools (when schools are in session), and many people, both locals and visitors, are in the corridor for recreational uses, or to get to their recreational destinations. The Highway 1 Safety Operational Improvements Project is intended to address the safety and operational issues along Highway 1, to make the area safer pedestrian and bicyclists, and improve traffic flow.
Located 28 miles south of San Francisco, the City of Half Moon Bay is a community of about 12,500 people, situated on the peninsula between forested hills and some of the most beautiful coastlines that California has to offer. Its historic downtown is home to numerous shops, art galleries, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and other businesses, and its celebrated beaches and parks are wonders of nature, accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians. With its many activities and events, beautiful natural scenery, old-town charm, and abundance of retail and commercial services, Half Moon Bay is a regional destination. The City’s website is www.hmbcity.com.
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City Council of Half Moon Bay Meets ~ 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00pm
HMB City Council Agendas and Zoom Links
HMB City Calendar
The New Now ~ Virtual Remote Public Agency Meetings
Watch streaming, or the Pacifica Coast TV video, that we will post. Stay tuned!
The meeting will be held at the Adcock Community Center for any members of the public who wish to speak in person, though we do encourage all members to participate remotely.
The meeting will be:
- streamed live on Comcast Channel 27 and Pacific Coast TV website
- the City’s website online (via Granicus)
- and on Facebook Live
- one in English (City of Half Moon Bay FB Page)
- one in Spanish (City of Half Moon Bay Recreation FB Page)
- Recorded by Pacific Coast TV (PCTV)
Members or the public are welcome to submit comments (in accordance with the three-minute per speaker limit) via email
to jblair@hmbcity.com prior to or during the meeting, via Facebook live during the meeting, and via two phone lines during the meet
ing – (650) 477-4963 (English) and (650) 445-3090 (Spanish).
ing – (650) 477-4963 (English) and (650) 445-3090 (Spanish).The City Clerk will read all comments into the record.
HMB City Council Agendas and Zoom Links
HMB City Calendar
Leave messages with the Clerk’s Department at 650-726-8250
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Debbie Ruddock
Vice MayorPhone: 650-726 -
Joaquin Jimenez
Council MemberPhone: 650-726-8250 (leave message with Clerk’s office)
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The City Council of Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay City Council Subcommittees
- CSFA Grant Selection
- Education
- Emergency Preparedness
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Legislative Affairs
- Mobility
Half Moon Bay City Council Strategic Plan
