Pacifica: Courts Reject Lawsuit to Stop Highway 1 Widening

In a victory for the residents of Pacifica and for the safety of motorists traversing Highway 1, a San Mateo judge has rejected outright all claims by a handful of people who sought to stop the widening of State Route  1. 'Pacificans for a Scenic Coast' (an offshoot of Pacificans for Highway 1 Alternatives which has about 50 members) had filed suit against the city and Caltrans in an effort to stop the project, which in one form or another, has been in the planning and design stages for more than 30 years.

The court stated, "the petition for writ of mandate alleging violation of CEQA, Public Resources Code Section 21000, et. seq. as a 'first cause of action' is denied. The complaint seeking injunction as a 'second cause of action' is denied and adjudicated in favor of the defendants."

Officially known as the Calera Parkway Project, the proposed alterations would add an additional lane of traffic in each direction to a 1.3-mile section of Highway 1 between Sharp Park and Rockaway Beach. North of this section of roadway, the Pacific Coast Highway has freeway on-ramps and off-ramps, and a 55 mph speed limit. In the affected area, however, the highway resembles a city street, with the speed limit dropping to 45 mph and intersections allowing pedestrians to cross the road. The Caltrans project would cost about $52 million will be paid for with Measure A funds.