For several years, the speed limit on Highway 17 was different in each direction within a short section near the interchange with Highway 1 in Santa Cruz, but that’s about to change. Caltrans announced last week it’s streamlining the speed limits, adding 5 mph in one direction and subtracting 5 mph in the other direction, so that it’s 60 mph in both directions.
One of the most hazardous highways in the Bay Area, Highway 17 is prone to collisions from speeding vehicles taking winding turns or facing sudden stops. Caltrans spokesperson Kevin Drabinski told SFGATE on Monday that the agency conducts engineering and traffic surveys once a decade to improve safety on specific sections of highways.
For the section on Highway 17 between the interchange with Highway 1 and Pasatiempo Drive, less than a mile of roadway, the speed limits in opposite directions were historically unalike. Northbound traffic was 65 mph and southbound traffic 55 mph.
Drabinski said that the latest survey considered the highway’s collision history, geographic nature and how drivers were actually approaching the area. Caltrans concluded that it would help clear up confusion to have the same speed limit in both directions.
“While it’s a small adjustment, 5 miles in either direction, we’re hoping this is one of the ways to improve safety on this corridor,” Drabinski said. “If any driver needs to remember what the speed limit is on the first three-fourths of a mile approaching Highway 1, it’s 60 miles in either direction. It removes questions about the difference in speeds.”
The speed limit adjustments were recently installed, and California Highway Patrol has begun enforcement.