Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.
In 2022, the message of Greenway’s Measure D was straightforward: “Trail now, train when it makes sense.” Many who voted against it believed the opposition’s hype: “Save the tracks, build the trail – we can have both!”
Well, as the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project concept report progresses, we’re learning that “both” really means sections of single lane “trail” with “diversions” onto city streets (i.e., green paint on pavement). We used to call that a bike lane. What about the dog walkers, joggers, strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters? Oh well.
It’s clear now that the rail-at-any-cost folks only cared about a trail insofar as it got them a few more votes and provided (very expensive) infrastructure for a train, with huge retaining walls, fences that will prohibit beach access, massive tree and vegetation clearance, almost 80-some electronic crossing gates and much more. Their supporters are now telling us how lucky we are to have these on-street “diversions,” that they are “actually better.” Why, exactly?
Whose campaign is deceptive now?
Nadene Thorne
Santa Cruz