More than 70 rail and trail supporters rallied in front of the Santa Cruz County building on Wednesday to urge the board of supervisors to approve Segments 10 and 11 of the Coastal Rail Trail after the body failed to do so last week. Supporters are growing concerned that a $67.6 million state grant tied to the project could expire with more delays.
Coastal Rail Trail
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: As two rail trail segments left in limbo, another readies for a summer opening
The short section of segment 7 that will run from the intersection of California Street and Bay Avenue is expected to finally wrap up this year, and perhaps as early as this summer. However, city transportation officials acknowledge that the work area is a “challenging site” particularly sensitive to weather impacts.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Supervisors’ deadlock on rail trail shows Measure D fight is not over: I urge action to get needed state funding
Lookout politics columnist Mike Rotkin, who sits on the Regional Transportation Commission board, says the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors’ split on advancing two segments of the rail trail in Mid-County is a lose-lose for the county. He sees it as a stunning disregard of the June 2022 Measure D vote and urges the community to let the two supervisors (Manu Koenig and Bruce McPherson) who voted against advancing the segments hear their frustration.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Board of supervisors fails to approve two sections of Coastal Rail Trail
With Supervisor Zach Friend recusing himself Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors deadlocked on the staff recommendation to approve Segments 10 and 11 of the Coastal Rail Trail, running between 17th Avenue in Live Oak and State Park Drive in Aptos.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Specter of Measure D continues to haunt Santa Cruz County’s plans for passenger rail
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and other county residents have begun to discuss the questions and issues surrounding potential cross-county passenger rail service. Two public input sessions last week showed excitement toward the project as well as continued skepticism as the agency looks way into the future toward a hopeful 2032 groundbreaking.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Clashing on the issues: District 1 county supervisor candidates, Measure M debaters take the stage
In Lookout’s second candidate forum of the 2024 election season, candidates vying to represent District 1 on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and both Measure M advocates and opponents took to the stage to discuss and debate everything from transit and budgets to housing and inclusionary rates. The primary election is set for March 5.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Highway 1 expansion, rail trail and the latest roadwork
Both the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and CalTrans will conduct public meetings this week for Santa Cruzans to give their input on design and aesthetic choices for upcoming projects.
Posted inCoast Life
Carmageddon: This week’s delays and the latest on the rail trail
The ongoing road projects around Santa Cruz County seek to improve the biking and walking experience, too, with pedestrian crossings soon coming to Highway 1. And though it won’t affect traffic, 2024 will see more progress on the Coastal Rail Trail as well.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
District 1 county supervisor race raises specter of Measure D’s battle over Coastal Rail Trail
The 2024 elections are more than a year away, but the race for District 1 Santa Cruz County supervisor is already heating up. Incumbent Manu Koenig and challenger Lani Faulkner both accuse the other of being single-issue candidates. That single issue? The long-envisioned coastal passenger rail line connecting Davenport and Watsonville, known as the Coastal Rail Trail project.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Remember Measure D? Santa Cruz train planning has now left the station
Lookout political columnist Mike Rotkin gives us an update and a timeline on the Regional Transportation Commission’s work to establish an electric rail line and trail between Watsonville and Santa Cruz. One year ago, the community was still recovering from the divisive ballot initiative Measure D that tried to replace the rail-trail option with a trail-only plan. Rotkin serves on the RTC board.