Santa Cruz County Local News: Transportation


All Local Transportation News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: California transportation history runs from railroads to today’s car culture.
California’s History of Transportation: From Railroads to Highways

The history of transportation in California has shaped the state, from the railroads to today’s highways, making the need for planning increasingly urgent. Here’s how it all happened, and where we stand today.

Image caption: Over two weekends last October, residents of Santa Cruz and Watsonville  participated in demonstration rides aboard an electric streetcar on rails.
The ‘Rail Trail’ Movement, Explained

Thousands of miles of railroad track, including some in Santa Cruz County, now sit idle. The fate of those largely abandoned tracks has become a burning controversy.

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05/13/2024
The Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission has informed some residents of two mobile home parks in Live Oak of a need to move their units 1 to 4 feet due to encroachment over lot boundaries.

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05/09/2024
The California Coastal Commission granted a two-year extension to the controversial City of Santa Cruz ban on overnight RV street parking.

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05/07/2024
Image for display with article titled The Future of the Rail-Trail: Montesino and McPherson Share Their Thoughts

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.

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05/07/2024
The California Coastal Commission is set to consider an appeal of the City of Santa Cruz ban on overnight parking mandated by the Oversized Vehicle Ordinance.

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05/06/2024
Central Coast Representatives Lofgren and Pannetta jointly announced $1 million in federal funding for studies about expansion of rail service in the region.

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05/02/2024
Image for display with article titled Female Lowriders Celebrated in Watsonville

Filmmaker Gloria Morán discusses her film, Unique Ladies about an all-female lowrider club in San Diego. Her screening is part of a five-day Cinco de Mayo celebration in Watsonville of lowrider culture.

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04/30/2024
In a unanimous vote, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved the plan to proceed with segments 10 and 11 of the Coastal Rail Trail.

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04/28/2024
Repairs to roads damaged in recent storms, including the slow-moving slide on Mountain Charlie Road, depend on state and federal funding and could take years to complete.

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04/26/2024
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will reconsider their vote against approving segments 10 and 11 of the Coastal Rail Trail in their April 30 meeting.

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04/20/2024
Following his recent vote against approval of two segments of the Rail Trail, Supervisor Manu Koenig explains his decision.

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04/18/2024
Image for display with article titled Transportation Commission Reaffirms Support for Rail Trail

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.

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04/17/2024
The City of Santa Cruz is set to begin a pilot program of neighborhood street sweeping, including a provision to tow vehicles not complying with posted parking limits.

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04/16/2024
Image for display with article titled State Money for Rail Trail Could Transfer to Regional Transportation Commission

At a special meeting Thursday, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission could step toward takeover of a $68 million state grant awarded to Santa Cruz County to help construct the rail trail through Live Oak, Capitola and Seacliff.

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04/13/2024
All fixed-route rides on Santa Cruz METRO are free on Earth Day, April 22.

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04/12/2024
The Downtown Streets Program is growing to 8 teams in the County with the start of a new 6 month pilot program in Boulder Creek on the Highway 9 commercial corridor.

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04/12/2024
The next phase of the $94.2M project to add lanes and bike/pedestrian overpasses on the three mile span of Highway 1 between the three mile Bay Avenue/Porter Street has commenced.

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04/11/2024
Image for display with article titled ‘Bleak’ Outlook for Santa Cruz County Budget

A proposed budget for 2025 cuts money for road repairs. Storms in 2023 caused about $140 million in damage to county-maintained roads, county staff said.

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04/11/2024
Witnesses allege Santa Cruz police used excessive force arresting a Black man for a bike infraction on April 10 at the intersection of Bay Street and West Cliff.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

04/10/2024
A proposed ordinance limiting use of e-bikes on sidewalks and walkways in unincorporated parts of the county was delayed by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors until its May 14 meeting following feedback from residents.

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04/10/2024
Initiated in March 2023, the Santa Cruz METRO Youth Cruz Free program providing free rides to K-12 youth has resulted in a 536% increase of youth riding the bus.
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