Rail and transit advocates gathered near the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line tracks in Live Oak on Wednesday to rally in support of passenger rail, and to urge the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission not to remove any of the existing tracks as planners work to develop designs for 8 miles of trail between the San Lorenzo River trestle bridge and State Park Drive in Aptos.
Regional Transportation Commission
Posted inSan Lorenzo Valley
Panetta, RTC announce federal funding for Highway 9 improvements
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission staff and other local partners announced $850,000 in federal funding secured for Highway 9 improvements in Boulder Creek as part of the Boulder Creek Complete Streets project. The transit agency hopes to break ground in 2028.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Deal on separating from Progressive Rail could keep RTC out of court; eyeing contract with new rail operator in South County
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.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
RTC accused of violating state open meetings rules in move to cut ties with current rail operator
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has been accused of violating state open meetings laws in connection with its move to cut ties with the contractor that operates the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.
Posted inLatest News
Capitola Avenue bridge reopens after nearly two years of construction as neighbors celebrate
The Capitola Avenue bridge project is finally complete, and reopened for traffic Friday afternoon. It’s been closed since March 2024.
Posted inLatest News
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.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: What is a common carrier and what changes for RTC if and when it takes on that role for rail line?
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission moved to boot the operator of part of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line and take on the “common carrier” role itself. This is mostly an administrative and bureaucratic change, but has to happen for the passenger rail or a trail over the tracks to happen.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: RTC seeking input on coastal resilience project; Watsonville police get grant for bike, pedestrian safety
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is seeking input on a coastal resiliency project along Highway 1 on the county’s north coast, with a workshop on the project set for the end of January. Meanwhile, the Watsonville Police Department received a state grant for bicycle and pedestrian safety efforts.
Posted inLatest News
RTC narrowly approves Keeley-Koenig ‘peace deal’ proposal to build trail segments over railroad tracks
In a 7-5 vote, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission approved a proposal by Commissioners Manu Koenig and Fred Keeley to build three segments of the Coastal Rail Trail over the railroad tracks in a change of plans for the major project.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: This week’s RTC meeting will be packed with rail-trail business following ‘peace deal’ proposal
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission meeting this week could be pivotal for the passenger rail project. Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley and County Supervisor Manu Koenig plan to discuss their trail proposal, which is already running into opposition from Friends of the Rail and Trail.