SANTA CRUZ >> Beginning Monday, motorists traversing the tricky loop at The Fishhook where northbound Highway 1 merges with southbound Highway 17 can expect delays for months for road improvements.

Caltrans is resurfacing and widening the shoulder of the dicey interchange heading toward Santa Cruz. Crews will be adding another lane for the Highway 1 ramp to get rid of the forced merge, said spokesman Jim Shivers.

“This is a safety project, which is intended to reduce the number of collisions occurring at this location,” he said.

Drivers zipping down Highway 17 and those bracing the sharp curve of Highway 1 have to watch out for one another when one of their lanes fuse somewhat unexpectedly.

Creating another lane might relieve some traffic congestion, but that’s not the purpose of the project, Shivers said.

The bottleneck is busy: About 6,000 vehicles per hour drive the location during the morning or afternoon peak times and 79,000 vehicles per day in the busiest month of the year during the summer.

The project is expected to take about four months and drivers can expect delays of 10 to 20 minutes.

During the first phase, the Highway 1 ramp will be reduced to one lane 24/7, affecting the morning commute, and will be subject to full closures 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays. Additionally, Highway 17 southbound will be subject to a lane closure 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays as well.

During the second phase, Highway 17 southbound will be reduced to one lane 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays and the Highway 1 ramp will be subject to one lane and full closures 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays.

Motorists can detour on Pasatiempo Drive.

Granite Construction is the contractor for the $1.2 million project.

Fishhook Roadwork

Caltrans is adding another lane where northbound Highway 1 merges with southbound Highway 17. The project is expected to take four months, and traffic delays aren’t to exceed 10 to 20 minutes. Motorists can detour on Pasatiempo Drive.

Phase One:

• Highway 1 ramp northbound will be reduced to one lane 24/7 and will be subject to full closures 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays.

• Highway 17 southbound will be subject to a lane closure 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays as well.

Phase Two:

• Highway 17 southbound will be reduced to one lane 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays.

• Highway 1 ramp northbound will be subject to one lane and full closures 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on weekdays.