Santa Cruz County Transportation Digest

A bipartisan congressional group from Nevada and California is asking the Biden administration to fast-track federal funds for a private company to build a high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.

Politicians must contend with a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, but they also face demands from leaders of vital health care and transit services for more money to solve their fiscal woes.

Up to 60% of 2030 models and two-thirds of 2032 models sold nationwide would be zero-emissions—less aggressive than California’s mandate.

Transit agencies in California are struggling to avoid a “fiscal cliff”—and to persuade riders to return after the COVID pandemic. Advocates and legislators are seeking more state aid, but there are no simple solutions.

Local transportation leaders mingled among columns of decorative kelp and tanks of seawater this week as they immersed themselves in the oceanic environment a new Santa Cruz METRO program seeks to protect.

State Farm insures more drivers than any other company operating in California. Those 3.7 million drivers will see an average annual boost of $71 per policy, an increase of 6.9%, said Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica-based advocacy group.

Communities with high concentrations of electric cars are affluent, college-educated and at least 75% white and Asian—revealing a barrier to electrifying the state’s entire fleet.

A court ruling that upheld much of a 2020 gig-worker initiative also struck down a part that labor advocates say could lead to legislation for driver unionization.

Coming soon to a Watsonville City Council agenda near you: improvements to traffic on Green Valley Road as well as the city's striping and potholes program.

The latest report from the California High-Speed Rail Authority projects costs for the initial segment at $35 billion, which exceeds secured funding by $10 billion. Other segments are likely to see higher projected costs.

After years of pushback from community activists and a more recent nudge from a state coastal oversight body, the city recently removed signage banning overnight vehicle parking on several Westside streets.

Wet conditions have hampered further progress on stabilizing a slope in Ben Lomond to allow for one-way traffic. Glen Arbor Road remains the available detour.

Public transit is a lifeline for low-income Californians, and the key to realizing reduced carbon emissions. But the state’s major public transit agencies are facing myriad issues and are looking to state lawmakers for a solution.

A bicyclist went where cars couldn't and documented the effects of atmospheric river deluges in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Closed for more than a month by a mudslide between lower Glen Arbor Road and Holiday Lane in Ben Lomond, it should be open by then assuming weather conditions remain favorable.

Santa Cruz citizens and neighbors are summoning energy and vision to “Save West Cliff.” Next up: a Feb. 13 “community conversation” about the iconic 2.7-mile promenade.

Sarah Christensen, senior transportation engineer, said her team had discovered two slope embankment failures.

Cash infusion is meant to bring key transit projects "over the finish line," said California's transportation secretary.

Several collapses of the sidwalk and roadway along West Cliff Drive spurred the city of Santa Cruz to close sections of the street and sidewalk as repairs are made.

At its core, the eclectic collaboration is an effort to showcase the environmental benefits of public transit and encourage ridership within METRO's bus system.

After the property was posted for sale at $1.19 million, the commission instructed staff to explore an acquisition to help facilitate right of way needs.

The Capitola City Council recently gave its city manager the go-ahead to execute a five-year professional services agreement with BCycle to establish a minimum of 50 electric bicycles and 100 accompanying docks within its city limits.

Officially, it's still Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, but new marketing strategy calls it San Jose Mineta International Airport to put more focus on the city.

The law was prompted by an audit revealing that up to 35,000 parking placards in use were in the names of deceased people.

Longtime labor advocate Mike Rotkin survived a campaign to unseat him from the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit board in favor of the labor-supported choice, former Watsonville mayor Daniel Dodge.

An effort to replace Mike Rotkin, an incumbent director on the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District board, has gained backing from some powerful labor organizations.

Tthe wait for a safe trail crossing the Moss Landing harbor just got longer after Caltrans employees discovered a deteriorating retaining wall.

A $115 million grant from the California Transportation Commission’s Active Transportation Program covers the funding gap for nearly 7 miles of the Coastal Rail Trail. Construction can begin as soon as 2025.

An upcoming vote by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission would put millions toward planning light rail service between Santa Cruz and Watsonville.

The collapse of a section of sidewalk along West Cliff Drive shows that eroding cliffs pose a danger to roads and walkways along the coastline. Converting West Cliff Drive to a one-way street has been just a concept, but could the recent cave-in change that?

The electric rail analysis recommendation is the latest development in a lengthy saga. In August, the commission voted unanimously to begin the bid solicitation process.

Electric aircraft company Joby plans to purchase the Poly building on Encinal Street in Santa Cruz by the end of November.