With the intent to maximize transportation options into the future, the adopted rail-with-trail project (also referred to as the “rail trail” by the Santa Cruz County community) was designed to coexist with existing and potential future transportation uses which could include train or transit services. The Coastal Rail Trail will act as the spine of a broader Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network which is a 50-mile bicycle and pedestrian pathway along the coast of Santa Cruz County, from the San Mateo County line in the north to the Monterey County line at Pajaro. The Master Plan was adopted in public meetings by the RTC and all coastal jurisdictions through which the trail will traverse. Planning for the Coastal Rail Trail and its guiding Master Plan was conducted over a multi-year process with much public and stakeholder input. Development of the corridor for passenger transit, recreational, goods movement, as well as the bicycle/pedestrian trail will move forward as they are feasible, fundable, and are deemed to meet current or future transportation needs. Projects include analysis (including environmental and economic analysis) to answer important community questions about possible future transit and other transportation uses of the corridor.” In December 2016, the RTC board reviewed contractual, environmental, financial, legal, timing and other considerations of rail line uses and reaffirmed the direction in Measure D to expedite the analysis of the rail corridor uses (full item on webpages 54-71).
HOWARD COUNTY STAIR RAIL CODE CODE
The rail corridor was purchased using $11 million from the voter-approved Proposition 116 (Clean Air and Transportation Improvement Act of 1990 - California Public Utilities Code Section 99600 et seq.) which stipulates that the rail line be used for “rail projects within Santa Cruz County which facilitate recreational, commuter, intercity and intercounty travel. Potential Transportation Uses of the Rail Corridor The study includes: ridership projections, capital and operating cost estimates, varying service scenarios and technologies and information on integration with other rail corridor uses and other transportation services. Rail Transit Service StudyĬould passenger rail transit service work in Santa Cruz County? The Rail Transit Study evaluates the feasibility of adding public transportation service on the rail line between Santa Cruz and Watsonville. In October 2012, the RTC took ownership of the line using voter-approved rail system expansion funding (California Proposition 116), bringing this transportation resource into public ownership to increase transportation options. Construction of the rail line from Santa Cruz to Watsonville was completed in 1876. This important transportation corridor is within one mile of more than 90 parks, 40 schools and over half of the county’s population (per census blocks). The rail line is designated as active and spans the county from Davenport to Watsonville, running parallel to the Highway 1 corridor and the coast, and connecting into state and other regional rail lines in Pajaro. The 32-mile Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line is a continuous transportation corridor offering tremendous potential for new mobility options for residents and visitors alike. Photo credit: Howard Cohen 2013 Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay Railway delivers construction materials in Watsonville.