Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Government Announcements

RTC Seeking Input on Use of Measure D Funds on Regional Highway, Trail, Rail, and Lift Line Projects

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) invites the community to provide input on how it plans to invest voter-approved Measure D revenues. Measure D, the transportation improvement ballot measure passed by over 2/3 of Santa Cruz County voters in November 2016, provides funds for highway, trail, rail, multimodal local road, and transit programs [...] The post RTC Seeking …
10/30/2024

RTC Hosting Two Upcoming In-Person Community Workshops and a Virtual Open House for the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project!

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is kicking off Milestone 3 for the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project (ZEPRT) to share updates related to rail and trail alignment options in development, project funding opportunities, ridership modeling approach, stations, bridge structures and noise impacts. Join us at one of our upcoming in-person [...] The post RTC Hosting …
10/29/2024

Mobile Home Encroachment Options Report

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) owns and maintains the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line (SCBRL) right-of-way and is moving forward with developing transportation services on the SCBRL right-of-way between the City of Santa Cruz and Pajaro just south of the City of Watsonville. As owner of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line [...] The post Mobile Home …
10/15/2024

Highway 17 Tree Work to Close One Northbound Lane Between Pasatiempo Dr. and La Madrona Dr.

Tree removal work will result in daytime closures of one lane of northbound Hwy. 17 in Santa Cruz next week. Starting Monday Oct. 14, and continuing through Friday Oct. 18, travelers will encounter a closure of the #2 (right) lane from 9 am to 3 pm, between Pasatiempo Dr. and La Madrona Dr. Please allow [...] The post Highway 17 …
10/10/2024

RTC to Host Informational Community Sessions on Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project’s Concept Development

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is hosting two Informational Community Sessions for the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail (ZEPRT) projects concept development. Community members and interested stakeholders are invited to participate in these Informational Community Sessions to hear project updates and ask questions. Informational Community Session #1: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 [...] The post RTC to …
10/09/2024

Full Overnight Closure of Southbound Highway 1 Set for Monday October 7

Hwy 1. Auxiliary Lane/Bus-on-Shoulder Project between Bay/Porter and State Park Full Overnight Closure of Southbound Highway 1 Set for Monday October 7 A project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Hwy. 1 between the Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive interchanges continues with an overnight closure of southbound Highway [...] The post Full Overnight …
10/07/2024

Rural Highways Safety Plan – We Need Your Input!

The RTC is kicking off the Rural Highways Safety Plan (RHSP) for Santa Cruz County, and we need your help. This Plan seeks to enhance safety for all users of the Countys six undivided rural highways: Highway 1 north of the City of Santa Cruz, Highways 9, 236, and 35, and Highways 129 and 152 [...] The post Rural Highways …
10/03/2024

Register now for Biketober and win prizes for riding your bike!

Biketober Santa Cruz is a fun, free challenge and you, your friends, and your co-workers are all invited to participate. The aim is simple - to get more people to enjoy the benefits of riding bikes. You can ride anywhere, anytime in October to participate. By logging your bike trips on Love to Ride or [...] The post Register now …
10/01/2024

Highway 1 Paving Project Near Aptos Continues with Overnight Lane and Ramp Closures

A project to improve pavement quality along four miles of Highway 1 in southern Santa Cruz County resumes with paving of the mainline and ramps. This paving operation is expected to take place over the next three weeks. This 4-mile pavement rehabilitation project will take place on Highway 1 from 0.9 miles north of the [...] The post Highway 1 …
09/30/2024

Hwy. 1 Overnight Lane Closures to Begin Sept. 29

A project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Hwy. 1 between the Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive interchanges continues next week with a closure of the Bay/Porter onramp to southbound Highway 1. Southbound Bay Ave./Porter St. Onramp to Close As a reminder, starting Sunday Sept. 29, travelers will [...] The post Hwy. 1 …
09/26/2024

Bay Ave./Porter St. Onramp to Southbound Hwy. 1 in Capitola to Close Sept. 29 for Two Months

A project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Hwy. 1 between the Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive interchanges continues next week with a closure of the Bay/Porter onramp to southbound Highway 1. Starting Sunday Sept. 29, travelers will encounter a two-month closure of the Bay Ave./Porter St. onramp [...] The post Bay Ave./Porter …
09/19/2024

Construction Continues on Highway 1 From Bay/Porter to Park Avenue in Capitola

A project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Hwy. 1 between the Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive Interchanges continues with construction activities within this corridor. The reconstruction of the Capitola Avenue Overcrossing which was demolished this past April continues with completion expected in November 2025 weather permitting. The [...] The post Construction Continues …
09/16/2024

RTC Board Announces Sarah Christensen as New Executive Director

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is pleased to announce that, after an extensive search, RTC Senior Transportation Engineer Sarah Christensen has been hired as the agencys new Executive Director. Christensen has over 19 years of experience in organizational leadership, planning, and implementation of major capital projects along the Central Coast and in [...] The post RTC Board …
09/05/2024

Capitola Ave Overcrossing at Hwy 1 Set for Long-Term Closure

Highway 1 Corridor Project Between Bay/Porter and State Park to Begin with Closure and Demolition of Capitola Avenue Overcrossing Work is underway on a project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Highway 1 between the Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive interchanges. This project will also construct a bicycle/pedestrian [...] The post Capitola Ave …
03/01/2024

Full Overnight Closures on Highway 1 and Soquel Avenue Set for Monday, Feb. 12 and Tuesday, Feb. 13

Construction continues on a project to build north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Highway 1 between the 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive interchanges and to construct a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer Avenue. Full Overnight Closures of Highway 1 For Monday Feb. 12, travelers will encounter a full closure of... [Read More]
02/09/2024

Public Input Sought on 2050 Regional Transportation Plan Goals and Policies

Public Input Sought on 2050 Regional Transportation Plan Goals and Policies The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is currently seeking public input to help define the Goals and Policies for the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), the long-range countywide transportation plan that serves as a guide for future transportation improvement projects by assessing... [Read More]
02/01/2024

RTC to Host Community Open Houses for Input on Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project’s Purpose and Need

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is hosting community open houses to obtain public input on the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Projects Preliminary Purpose and Need Statement. The project proposes new high-capacity passenger rail service and stations on approximately 22 miles of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line from the City... [Read More]
01/26/2024

Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment for Highway 1 from State Park Drive to Freedom Boulevard and Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 Project Now Available

The Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) with Findings of No Significant Impact for the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes, Bus-Shoulder (State Park Drive to Freedom Boulevard) & Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 project has been completed and is now available. The proposed project includes construction of northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes between the State Park... [Read More]
01/23/2024

RTC Seeking Input on Bridge Design Options for Coastal Rail Trail Bridge in Aptos

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is seeking community input through an online survey on the preferred bridge type for a Coastal Rail Trail bridge in Aptos. The bicycle and pedestrian bridge will be constructed as a part of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane, Bus-on-Shoulder (Freedom Boulevard to State Park Drive) and Coastal... [Read More]
01/18/2024

Applications Being Accepted for Measure D Oversight Committee Districts 2 & 4 Representatives

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is currently accepting applications for the Measure D Taxpayer Oversight Committee for representatives from Districts 2 & 4. This independent oversight committee will be tasked with reviewing how the funds generated by the transportation tax are being spent. The responsibilities of the Committee include: Reviewing Expenditure Plan... [Read More]
01/16/2024

2024 Annual Public Notice of Appointed Committee Elections

Public participation is an integral part of the transportation planning process. The RTC has three advisory committees comprised of community volunteers. Community members are encouraged to volunteer their time by serving on one of these committees and work with the RTC to build a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable transportation system in Santa Cruz County. Each... [Read More]
01/16/2024

Hwy 1 Overnight and Daytime Lane and Ramp Closures Taking Place This Week (Jan 15-18)

Highway 1 Full Overnight Closures For Monday Jan. 15, travelers will encounter a full closure of northbound Hwy 1 between 41st Ave. and Soquel Dr. This full closure will be in effect between 10 pm and 4:30 am. One northbound lane will be closed 1 hour prior to and one-half hour after the full closure. One... [Read More]
01/15/2024

Daytime Closure of Southbound Highway 1 Onramp at Westbound 41st Avenue Set for Jan. 2-4

Construction continues on a project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Highway 1 between the 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive interchanges and to construct a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer Avenue. For Tuesday Jan. 2 thru Thursday Jan. 4, travelers will encounter a daytime closure of the loop... [Read More]
12/30/2023

Highway 1 Daytime Closure of Southbound Onramp at 41st Avenue Set for Dec. 21 & 22

Construction continues on a project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Highway 1 between the 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive interchanges and to construct a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer Avenue. For Thursday Dec. 21 and Friday Dec. 22, travelers will encounter a daytime closure of the loop... [Read More]
12/19/2023

RTC Board Appoints New Interim Executive Director

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) has appointed Mitch Weiss, former executive director of the California Transportation Commission (CTC), as interim executive director for the agency. Weiss will temporarily replace former Executive Director Guy Preston, who retired on Dec. 1, 2023, while the RTC searches for a new permanent executive director. Weiss has... [Read More]
12/14/2023

RTC Approves Projects to Receive $61.3 Million in County Share of State and Federal Funds

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) adopted its 2023 Consolidated Grant Program and its 2024 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) on Dec. 7, approving approximately $61.3 million of the region’s anticipated formula share of certain state and federal funds for County and city road, bike, and pedestrian projects and regional transit projects. As... [Read More]
12/08/2023

RTC Launches Online Survey to Gather Input on Aesthetic Design Elements for Hwy 1 Aux Lanes, Bus-on-Shoulder and Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 Project

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is seeking community feedback on concepts for aesthetic design elements as part of the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes, Bus-on-Shoulder Facility (State Park Drive to Freedom Boulevard) & Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 project. On Dec. 5, 2023, the RTC hosted an open house at the Rio Sands... [Read More]
12/06/2023

Caltrans to Host Hybrid Public Information Meeting for Proposed Highway 1 Capital Preventative Maintenance Project

Caltrans District 5 will hold a Hybrid Public Information Meeting regarding a proposed project located on Highway 1 through the City of Santa Cruz from just south of the Junction at Highway 9 to just north of the Western Drive intersection. The project will include the rehabilitation of just over eight lane miles of pavement,... [Read More]
12/05/2023

Hwy 1 Full Overnight Closure of Northbound Lanes Set for Dec. 11 & 12

Construction continues on a project to build north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Highway 1 between the 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive interchanges and to construct a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer Avenue. For Monday, Dec. 11 and Tuesday, Dec. 12, travelers will encounter a full overnight closure of northbound... [Read More]
12/04/2023

RTC Seeks Public Input on Aesthetic Design Elements for the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes, Bus-on-Shoulder, and Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 Project

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is hosting a community open house to obtain public input on concepts for aesthetic design elements for the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes, Bus-on-Shoulder Facility (State Park Drive to Freedom Boulevard) & Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 project. The open house is on Dec. 5, 2023, from 6:00 –... [Read More]
11/16/2023