Horizon is leading the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for proposed improvements to State Route 1. The project, led by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, is divided into two components: a 9-mile “Tier I” project  and a 1.4-mile “Tier II” project.

The Tier I preferred alternative would provide northbound and southbound high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on Route 1 within the 9-mile corridor, along with three pedestrian and bicycle overcrossings and auxiliary lanes. The Tier II preferred alternative would provide northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes on Route 1, along with a pedestrian/bicycle overcrossing.

Caltrans is the lead agency under CEQA and the Federal Highway Administration is the lead agency under NEPA. Key issues addressed in the Final EIR/EA include cumulative impacts, biological resources, traffic, air quality, and greenhouse gases. Horizon prepared a comprehensive cumulative impact analysis following Caltrans’ eight-step methodology. Horizon is working closely with engineering prime contractor NV5.