The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is slated to vote Thursday on whether to study the option of creating a temporary path for bikers and pedestrians along the rail corridor, which could involve removing existing railroad tracks.
Coastal Rail Trail
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘This is a timeout’: Rail Trail stalls without $17 million needed for next steps
The train project is stuck in a bind: State and federal funding is unlikely to come down without local funding, and locals are unlikely to want to tax themselves without a clear plan or a financial commitment from the state or federal government.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Rail Trail to be discussed again Thursday. Here’s what might — or might not — happen
The controversial project is back on the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission agenda Thursday, and there could be fireworks — or crickets.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville votes to support Rail Trail business plan ahead of RTC meeting next week
In a special meeting Friday, Watsonville councilmembers backed the pro-rail plan for Santa Cruz County’s coastal corridor. Santa Cruz officials did the same earlier this week. Now, the issue is set to head back before the county’s Regional Transportation Commission on May 6.
Posted inUncategorized
Rail Trail coming to a head: Supporters make big push to keep rail on track heading into Thursday RTC meeting
In a last-ditch effort to get the rail momentum back on track, proponents of having rail and trail down the coast of Santa Cruz County rallied Wednesday in Aptos, forming a human train along the tracks to show public support for the project.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
DERAIL TRAIL: Biz plan for passenger train next to bike path falls short, putting project’s future in doubt
A tie vote Thursday means that Regional Transportation Commission staff — at least for now — won’t be directed to seek federal or state funding for electric passenger rail along the coastal corridor. But the issue is expected to resurface next month.
Posted inCoast Life
Santa Cruz receives funding for another portion of trail along coastal corridor
Santa Cruz will soon be able to begin construction on the second phase of a multi-use trail along the coast — adding to part of the long-term, controversial Rail-Trail vision.
Posted inCoast Life
Rail Trail update: Biz plan reveals funding gaps, potential private partnerships. Debate? Status quo
The draft business plan out Wednesday comes after the Regional Transportation Commission approved electric passenger rail as the “preferred transit option” alongside a recreation path in the coastal corridor. It outlines potential funding sources and implementation plans and will go before the RTC on April 1.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
How much will rail cost, and is it worth it? Santa Cruz County’s 4 mayors, others weigh in
Although three quarters of RTC members voted to accept a recommendation that both rail and a recreation path run along…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Rail on coastal corridor takes next step by 9-3 vote, but cost questions take center stage, too
Although three quarters of RTC members voted to accept a recommendation that both rail and a recreation path run along the coastal corridor, that vote far from guarantees that passenger rail will ever be implemented.