Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Government News

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s $9 million Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail project study has generated heated debate and confusion.

With more than 132,000 ballots processed and an estimated 2,980 ballots to go as of Friday, Santa Cruz County election officials started to wind down their work. Official results are due by Dec. 6.
Several themes emerged from the candidates who appeared likely to win their races.

After several delays, officials said they hope to open the rail trail from California to Beach streets in Santa Cruz by the end of December.

A new interactive map tracks the status of rail-trail work across Santa Cruz County.
The Coastal Rail Trail is a planned 32-mile path mainly along the right-of-way of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. The trail’s 20 segments are in different phases of design, engineering and construction. The map provides an overview of each trail segment’s status.

A new overhead rail line near the Boardwalk and a bridge or tunnel crossing Highway 1 at Cabrillo College are amongst two new proposals that the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission revealed last week at its Watsonville and Live Oak community meetings.

The rail-trail project could include an elevated track at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, more than 11 stations and a paved path that detours from the rail line in Live Oak, Capitola, Rio Del Mar and South County, authorities said this week.

The design and planning for new zero-emission passenger rail service is happening now, and includes an online survey plus two Community Workshops on Tues., Nov. 12, in Watsonville and Weds., Nov 13, in Live Oak.

Some mobile homes near 38th Avenue and the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line in Live Oak are in the rail line’s right-of-way and could be moved for the rail-trail project.

More than two months after Caltrans said it needed $3 million more to finish Highway 1 work, the county’s transportation commission is still searching for an explanation as they foot the bill.

Santa Cruz County’s rail trail could divert from the train tracks onto neighboring streets to bypass narrow stretches of the rail corridor and wetlands, according to a draft route released this month.

At its May 2 meeting the RTC passed a resolution unanimously requesting Caltrans to lower the speed limits on Highway 9 in downtown Ben Lomond, Brookdale, and the southern portion of Felton to 25 mph.

Segment 5 of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network (aka Coastal Rail Trail) will connect Wilder Ranch to the town of Davenport.

As long-time elected representatives for the northernmost and southernmost reaches of Santa Cruz County, we believe the community conversation over the Rail Trail should be thoughtful, respectful, and inclusive.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission on Thursday reaffirmed its support for a paved path parallel to the train tracks through Capitola and Seacliff.