That was interesting
I was driving home to Santa Cruz this afternoon, on Highway 17, when traffic came to a stop. "Oh sigh, another accident. Ah well, at least I should be pretty close."
My, I'm an optimist.
There were a bunch of people getting off at the Bear Creek Road exit. Traffic on 17 was pretty much stopped. So I figured I'd follow the crowd, and hope that it wasn't just a big group going to a party. :-)
Took the overpass across 17, and saw a sign for "Old Santa Cruz Highway". "This looks promising." So I follow the road. It sticks by 17 for about half a mile, and the end of the traffic jam is nowhere in sight. Then it winds its way along for a while. Speed limit is 25 - 30 MPH, and they mean it. However, that beats "full stop". Eventually, I get to Summit Road. The sign says Left to get to Santa Cruz via the "San Jose - Soquel Road", and Right to go to 17. Everyone is going left. I cross my fingers and go right. A mile or two later, there's 17, and the traffic jam is gone. :-)
So now you know: If you're on 17 North, approaching the summit, and traffic is stopped: Right on Summit, Left on Old Santa Cruz Highway, it will get you past the blockage.
If you're on 17 South, before the Bear Creek Road exit, and traffic is stopped: Loop the overpass at Bear Creek Road across 17, Right on Old Santa Cruz Highway, Right on Summit.
My, I'm an optimist.
There were a bunch of people getting off at the Bear Creek Road exit. Traffic on 17 was pretty much stopped. So I figured I'd follow the crowd, and hope that it wasn't just a big group going to a party. :-)
Took the overpass across 17, and saw a sign for "Old Santa Cruz Highway". "This looks promising." So I follow the road. It sticks by 17 for about half a mile, and the end of the traffic jam is nowhere in sight. Then it winds its way along for a while. Speed limit is 25 - 30 MPH, and they mean it. However, that beats "full stop". Eventually, I get to Summit Road. The sign says Left to get to Santa Cruz via the "San Jose - Soquel Road", and Right to go to 17. Everyone is going left. I cross my fingers and go right. A mile or two later, there's 17, and the traffic jam is gone. :-)
So now you know: If you're on 17 North, approaching the summit, and traffic is stopped: Right on Summit, Left on Old Santa Cruz Highway, it will get you past the blockage.
If you're on 17 South, before the Bear Creek Road exit, and traffic is stopped: Loop the overpass at Bear Creek Road across 17, Right on Old Santa Cruz Highway, Right on Summit.