The Santa Cruz City Council voted Tuesday to scrap plans for a temporary bicycle and pedestrian path over the rail line next to Murray Street Bridge, with councilmembers pointing to too many legal and engineering obstacles, along with a lack of available funding.
transportation
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County public works director goes to D.C. to lobby for local transportation
Matt Machado, Santa Cruz County’s deputy executive officer and public works director, traveled with other local government leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C., last month to push for federal funding for local roads, bridges and transportation safety.
Posted inAptos
Aptos Beach Drive closure continues for emergency sewer repairs
Emergency sanitation repairs are underway on Aptos Beach Drive to fix about 60 feet of damaged sewer line, prompting a road closure between Highland Drive and Martin Drive through Friday.
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
Santa Cruz Metro service expansion back on track after delays, but future funding uncertain
After a winter setback, Santa Cruz Metro’s plan to boost service and double ridership is fully underway, with some new hydrogen fuel-cell buses hitting the road. Now, the transit agency will have to find money to sustain it in future years – likely in the form of a sales tax ballot measure in 2026.
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
Carmageddon: County’s first Week Without Driving kicks off next Monday
Santa Cruz County is asking residents to go car-free for a week and try out new bike paths, bridge crossings and public transit improvements, complete with community events and giveaways to encourage more carpooling and active transportation.
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 inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville’s Green Valley Road gets $10 million safety upgrade for cyclists and pedestrians
Santa Cruz County hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday for the Green Valley Road redevelopment project that began last summer. More Watsonville road improvements are on the way, with Freedom Boulevard slated for a swath of upgrades beginning in 2026.
