The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will consider a separation agreement with Progressive Rail in order to avoid a court battle following the RTC’s move to become the common carrier on the rail line. It will also consider entering a new contract with a new rail operator for part of the rail line in South County that still serves freight customers.
Carmageddon
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Carmageddon: Sales tax to prevent major cuts to Santa Cruz Metro aimed for November ballot
Supporters of Santa Cruz Metro have begun gathering signatures to get a sales tax on the November ballot by way of a citizens’ initiative, in order to lower the threshold for the number of votes needed to pass. Without local funding, the county transit agency faces potentially major cuts to its personnel and level of service.
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Carmageddon: County takes another step toward more improvements for Soquel Drive
The next phase of work on Soquel Drive, from State Park Drive to Freedom Boulevard, is moving forward despite a funding gap of more than $5 million.
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Carmageddon: RTC accepts rural roads plan, seeks input on name for freight line operator
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission accepted the Rural Highways Safety Plan to improve safety along the county’s more remote highways. The commission is also seeking input on a name for a proposed nonprofit subsidiary that would operate the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Carmageddon: RTC turns to state, feds for next step in passenger rail project — environmental work
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission needs to cover a $15 million funding gap to pay for the passenger rail project’s environmental work. It will turn to state and federal officials to find funding for the next step.
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Carmageddon: Highway 17 corridor plan prioritizes congestion relief, safety and climate resiliency
Caltrans and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission are planning for the future of Highway 17. Officials discussed their priorities for the corridor — safety, congestion relief and climate resiliency — during a recent presentation, including expanding the 17 Express bus route to Highway 85 in Santa Clara County.
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Carmageddon: First of several closures of McGregor Drive in Mid-County taking place this week; upcoming Highway 17 workshops
Mid-County residents will encounter the first of a number of multiday closures of McGregor Drive between Park Avenue and State Park Drive on Wednesday and Thursday. The closures will be scattered across a period of about eight months. Meanwhile, Caltrans is hosting the first of two upcoming public workshops on a long-range corridor plan for Highway 17 on Thursday.
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Carmageddon: As RTC officially votes to terminate contract with Progressive Rail, planners hope to have interim trail design by early summer
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission officially voted to terminate its contract with Progressive Rail at its Thursday meeting, which begins the process of taking over operations on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. As that happens, planners are working on the new trail-over-rail design.
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Carmageddon: City hopes to make decision on Murray Street two-way traffic within weeks; RTC’s early steps toward interim trail construction
After the Murray Street Bridge reopened last week for the first time since last June, the City of Santa Cruz is continuing to gauge the feasibility of allowing two-way vehicle and bicycle traffic along the one opened lane, and hopes to make a decision within weeks.
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Carmageddon: Progressive Rail rejects RTC’s move to take over rail operations and threatens litigation
After the Regional Transportation Commission’s recent move to take over rail operations on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, the current common carrier, Minnesota-based Progressive Rail, has sent a letter to the commission, saying that it intends to “vigorously protect” its current status.
