Two more Coastal Rail Trail and passenger rail information sessions are coming up this week. The first focuses on the Santa Cruz County passenger rail project as a whole, while the second focuses on issues specific to Capitola, including a heavily debated section of trail that the Capitola City Council delayed a vote on in mid-February.
Regional Transportation Commission
Posted inLatest News
Planned passenger rail faces nearly $1 billion price tag to replace or repair dozens of Santa Cruz County bridges
In an information session Wednesday evening, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and engineering consultant firm HDR, Inc. recommended replacing 28 of 33 rail bridges in Santa Cruz County — an effort they estimate could cost $980 million. The agencies will determine a more exact figure moving forward in preparation for the RTC’s passenger rail project concept report, expected in the fall.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Coastal Rail Trail vision delayed by local hurdles amid uncertainty over state, federal funding
A report detailing Santa Cruz County’s rail trail vision is delayed until at least the fall while officials tackle multiple challenges: mobile home disputes, possible bridge repairs and trail routing questions. The project faces additional uncertainty after the Trump administration paused federal infrastructure funding. Transit leaders are also considering a future ballot measure to help fund operational costs.
Posted inEastside / Live Oak / Pleasure Point
Deadline looms for mobile home residents as officials debate who’s responsible for rail trail encroachment
As residents in two Live Oak mobile home parks await a final Regional Transportation Commission report regarding who is responsible for paying to remedy encroachments along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, County Supervisor Manu Koenig’s office has requested that the commission focus on working with the parks’ owners and not the residents.
Posted inLatest News
Members sought for senior, disabled transportation advisory board
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation is seeking new members to serve on its Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee. Any Santa Cruz County resident who is age 60-plus, a paratransit rider, lives with a disability or represents services for seniors and people with disabilities is eligible.
Posted inLatest News
Sarah Christensen will lead Regional Transportation Commission
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has a new executive director — Sarah Christensen, a senior transportation engineer at the agency. Christensen will enter into a three-year contract with the RTC and will report directly to the board of directors. She will start on Monday.