Good morning, one and all. It is Monday, Oct. 27, and after a wet Sunday, sunshine is the order of the day for Santa Cruz County, with highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s.
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Max Chun leads us off with an overview of where some big local transit and traffic projects stand in his weekly Carmageddon column – the final passenger rail concept report is out from the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, maintaining its $4.2 billion price tag, while the end looks to finally be in sight for the rebuilt Capitola Avenue bridge over Highway 1 between Soquel and Capitola.
In the latest in our Ask Lookout series, Tania Ortiz examines Watsonville’s project labor agreement and explains why a move to update the agreement has struck such a chord with local trade unions.
We’ve also got coverage of Sunday’s accident at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, in which one person died when their minivan plunged into Monterey Bay.
The Monday headlines also include Wallace Baine’s story on Indexical as the arts nonprofit celebrates 10 years, taking its place in Santa Cruz County’s long tradition of supporting cutting-edge experimental music. Let’s take a look at it all.
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Carmageddon: Final train report, Capitola Ave. bridge nears reopening, next steps for Grand Ave. pathway
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission published its final passenger rail concept report, setting up a crucial December discussion; meanwhile, the Capitola Avenue bridge is set to reopen by year’s end, and an update on the crumbling Grand Avenue pathway on Depot Hill. Check it all out here via Max Chun.
Ask Lookout: What is Watsonville’s project labor agreement that has trade unions up in arms?
Why did nearly 150 union workers pack Watsonville City Council chambers earlier this month to urge the city not to rescind a longstanding labor agreement that sets the employment terms for major city infrastructure projects? Tania Ortiz dives into the controversy surrounding Watsonville’s project labor agreement and why it matters.
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And just like that, we’re headed into the final few days of October. Keep tabs on what’s happening around Santa Cruz County by downloading the Lookout Santa Cruz app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and get our award-winning coverage right in your inbox with breaking news alerts and a host of other free newsletters – including what’s happening in Santa Cruz County politics & policy via In the Public Interest, coming later Monday – by signing up here. Lookout is also on social media, so come connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Bluesky to stay current that way.
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Thanks for reading, and here’s to a smooth Monday all around.
Will McCahill