Santa Cruz County Transportation Digest

In response to a significant surge in ridership at UC Santa Cruz, the local transit agency has begun rolling out a new fleet of specialized buses it believes can meet the moment.

A new study by Forbes shows that four cities in the Golden State—Los Angeles, Fresno, San Diego and Sacramento—are among the 21 worst cities in the United States for holiday travel. Forbes looked at a variety of factors including car accidents, hotel prices and air travel.

Interstate 10 in Los Angeles will reopen Nov. 21, following a fire on Nov. 11. It had previously been feared the freeway would be closed much longer.

The city of Santa Cruz and partnering consultant Farallon Strategies held a virtual public meeting to further gauge the community’s feelings about West Cliff Drive’s role in the city in the next 50 years.

Three major east-west arteries—Murray Street, Highway 1 and Soquel Drive—will all see major road work and potential closures over the next few years, which could make an already crowded commute even more time-consuming.

China modeled some of its climate programs on policies first adopted by California. Now, California depends on the world’s most populous country for essential materials in its electric vehicle ambitions.

The Watsonville City Council unanimously approved the first major update to the Airport Master Plan in 20 years and also directed staff to come back with discussions on shortening or closing the crosswind runway to allow for more potential housing to be developed.

The council will receive a report on Rail Trail Segments 10 and 11 as well as an update on the years-long effort to form the Police Chief’s Advisory Committee.

The safety lights, known as pedestrian hybrid beacons, were set up along Mission Street at Olive Street and Berkshire Avenue and facilitate pedestrian crossing at higher-speed roadways, midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections.

"It has been an all hands on deck situation since early January," Santa Cruz County Assistant Director of Public Works Steve Wiesner told the Sentinel.

The report seeks to identify transportation infrastructure assets that may be impacted by climate hazards and then develop an order in which those assets should undergo a more detailed analysis for climate adaptation.

The Watsonville Municipal Airport could be looking at a greener future. The airport recently received $83,575 through the Federal Aviation Administration for a zero-emissions vehicle and infrastructure project.

Following a public hearing, the Metro board unanimously approved a package of bus services improvements included in the first phase of its systemwide restructuring effort.

Hydrogen fueling stations will get 15 percent of funds in a state program — even though Californians own only about 12,000 hydrogen cars. The funds come from fees paid by drivers.

Construction will soon start on four infill walls on the 900 and 1000 blocks of West Cliff Drive as early as next week.

“We are like an Uber and Lyft for anyone in Santa Cruz County with a disability that requires an ADA-accessible vehicle,” said Community Bridges spokesperson Tony Nunez.

Santa Cruz Metro is expected to finalize the purchase of 57 hydrogen fuel cell-electric buses—the single largest purchase for that variety of zero-emission vehicle in the nation.

The effort to restore the currently impassable Bethany Curve bridge on West Cliff Drive moved forward at the Aug. 22 Santa Cruz City Council meeting.

With only 12,000 hydrogen cars on the road, and just two models for sale, California lawmakers are debating how much state money should support them.

The concept report will provide an early analysis that includes placement of stations, frequency of service and a closer look at especially challenging areas such as Beach Street in Santa Cruz and near Harkins Slough in Watsonville.

“I have decided on Dec. 1 I will pack up my empty coffee thermos, jump on my bike and ride home from (the) RTC office for the last time,” said 34-year veteran Executive Director Guy Preston.

The changes could result in an 10% increase in service overall that, pending further public engagement and direction from the Metro Board, could roll out as soon as December.

On summer weekends Metro’s Route 35 to Big Basin Redwoods State Park will provide locals with a sustainable option for visiting the popular regional destination.

Metro CEO Michael Tree told the Sentinel the hydrogen fuel cell-electric bus purchase is the largest of its kind in North America.

Federal law requires the plan be updated every four years and designed to use effective public outreach methods to “create and maintain a regional transportation network that prioritizes equitable decision-making and transparency."

Community members, local officials and city of Santa Cruz staff gathered at Santa Cruz City Hall to roll out an electric bike share program that will extend to other parts of the county.

In December, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County spent $17 million to buy Rocks Ranch, a 2,600-acre property near San Juan Bautista that has been eyed by developers. The group is working to build a crossing so that wildlife can traverse Highway 101 without being killed.

The city of Santa Cruz announced that parking rates on the street and in structures will increase downtown starting in July.

Staff at the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will begin seeking grant funding for a new program that will offer point-of-sale vouchers for electric bicycle purchases.

California's public transit agencies are seeking $5 billion over five years to keep buses and trains running, but time is running out in the budget process at the state Capitol. To address criticism, they submitted a new accountability plan.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission was presented with a final EIR created by the city of Santa Cruz for segments 8 and 9 of the Coastal Rail Trail—a project seeking to establish a bicycle and pedestrian trail adjacent to the tracks along the 32-mile Branch Rail Corridor.

As the industry invests $40 billion in new US electric car plants, the rapid transformation raises labor and supply chain issues. Automaker Ford says, “we’re all in.”