Facing major cost overruns on a stretch of the Coastal Rail Trail and the risk of losing millions in state funding for the project, Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley and District 1 County Supervisor Manu Koenig believe they have found a way to move the trail along faster while continuing work on a passenger rail service.
Coastal Rail Trail
Posted inLatest News
Four takeaways from the RTC’s new passenger rail report
After years of studies, the RTC published its final report on a proposed passenger train this month ahead of a December meeting for the rail project. The plans largely stay the course, though some call for routing the train through the Beach Flats area to avoid the Boardwalk, with longer travel times and possibly higher costs.
Posted inLatest News
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.
Posted inWestside / Downtown
Section of Coastal Rail Trail in Santa Cruz to be closed starting next week
The City of Santa Cruz plans to temporarily close part of the trail from the California/Bay entrance to the Depot Park trestle from Oct. 13 to Oct. 20 for vegetation control.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: RTC commissioners push back on rail trail cost-cutting proposals, as some look to revive railbanking debate
Santa Cruz County transit officials clashed over how to fund cost overruns on a section of the Coastal Rail Trail, with some pushing to build the trail directly over existing tracks, a move voters rejected in 2022.
Posted inLatest News
RTC risks losing up to $80 million in grants in bid to tame rail trail costs, report says
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is set to hear a report that outlines ways to reduce costs and modify the project delivery of Coastal Rail Trail Segments 8 through 11 at its Thursday meeting.
Posted inLatest News
Street view: Santa Cruz County residents split on $4.3 billion train and trail
Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud took to the streets to talk to residents about their perspectives on the planned passenger train and 32-mile coastal trail, whether they would regularly use either, and if they would support higher sales taxes to help pay for the ambitious projects.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Is the train dead? That’s up for debate.
Although fewer and fewer people disagree that $4.3-billion price tag has placed the RTC’s passenger rail in peril, whether the plan to build a countywide, zero-emission passenger train system is actually dead depends on whom you ask.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Facing cost overruns, RTC eyes rail trail changes that could jeopardize state grants
As Santa Cruz County transit officials grapple with soaring rail trail costs, they face tough choices such as trimming amenities or shortening the path to save money, but risk losing millions in state funding.
Posted inLatest News
Rail trail cost overruns push RTC to revive railbanking debate
Faced with a $72 million shortfall for some sections of the Coastal Rail Trail, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission on Thursday resurrected a plan to remove railroad tracks despite voters rejecting the idea in 2022.