Santa Cruz County Transit and Transportation Agency Meetings - Audio Tracks

ZEPRT Final Project Concept Report Q&ARTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/xwsBGsvKdl0?si=x-lMlYsxYT_XAmdw

Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Final Project Concept ReportThe Commission received a presentation on the ero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail (ZEPRT) Final Project Concept, and accepted the Final Project Concept Report. The report presents the project concept developed for the proposed implementation of a new daily passenger rail service and multi-use trail operating on the RTC-owned Branch Line corridor. The report also details the development and related background, analysis, assumptions, findings, and potential next steps. The next phase of the ZEPRT Project would be to complete preliminary engineering and environmental analysis. However, there is a $14 to $15 million funding gap for this work, and the work is on hold until additional funds are secured. The Commission also approved a Resolution of Support for future passenger rail and continued partnership with the Caltrans Division of Rail on Corridor Identification and Development, which aligns with the 2024 State Rail Plan.Additionally, the Commission voted in favor of developing the Interim Trail (trail in place of existing tracks) for Coastal Rail Trail Segments 9-11 between the San Lorenzo River in Santa Cruz and State Park Drive in Aptos on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line while continuing long-term planning for future passenger rail on the line. This change is necessitated to reduce project costs and save significant grant funding for the Coastal Rail Trail, which otherwise would be eliminated or substantially reduced. The Commission directed staff to return within two months with a proposal to allow the construction of the Interim Trail without the need for adverse abandonment of the freight easement or railbanking. Staff were also directed to prepare the final design for and take any other actions needed to implement the Interim Trail on Coastal Rail Trail Projects as expeditiously as possible, and additionally requested that staff investigate a design alternative that does not require the removal of the tracks. Staff were also directed to pursue options to retrofit the Capitola Trestle for bicycle and pedestrian use either as part of the project already under development or as a separate future project.RTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/xwsBGsvKdl0?si=x-lMlYsxYT_XAmdw

Amendments to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 RTC Budget & Work Program and Measure D BudgetThe Commission approved amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 RTC Budget & Work Program and Measure D budget to incorporate information from prior year-end balances, new projects or funds, updated estimates, and other necessary changes for regional programming and pass- through revenues, operating, and capital. Proposed budget changes to the RTC Budget and Overall Work Program include updates to specific line items including staffing resources for staffing of two new positions, administration increases due to salary, overhead and legal costs, and planning program budget for planning efforts. The proposed FY 2025-26 budget amendment for Measure D includes proposed amendments to programming for projects and programs that receive Measure D funds, including San Lorenzo/Highway 9, Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing, Rail, Active Transportation/Coastal Rail Trail and Highway.RTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/xwsBGsvKdl0?si=x-lMlYsxYT_XAmdw

Railbanking OverviewThe Commission received an informational overview of railbanking as it relates to the RTC-owned Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line (SCBRL). Railbanking is the process of preserving a rail corridor for future rail use while removing freight service obligations. Staff provided a background of the SCBRL ownership and preservation strategy, an overview of the railbanking process, and how the railbanking process could apply to the SCBRL.RTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/xwsBGsvKdl0?si=x-lMlYsxYT_XAmdw

Caltrans ReportRTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/xwsBGsvKdl0?si=x-lMlYsxYT_XAmdw

Director's Report.RTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/xwsBGsvKdl0?si=x-lMlYsxYT_XAmdw

Commissioner's Reports.RTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/xwsBGsvKdl0?si=x-lMlYsxYT_XAmdw

The Commission approved a resolution authorizing Executive Director Christensen to execute a Right-of- Entry Agreement with the City of Santa Cruz for a temporary pedestrian and bicycle trail between Seabright Avenue and 7th Avenue, and to use adjacent areas of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line corridor for construction staging to support the Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit and Barrier Replacement Project.The agreement is subject to approval by the RTC’s contracted railroad operator, Saint Paul & Pacific Railroad, a subsidiary of Progressive Rail, Inc.The Commission directed staff to continue facilitating reviews and approvals by Progressive Rail for both the temporary use of the railroad bridge and the staging area.This temporary trail will provide a vital connection for community members to businesses in the Seabright and Harbor neighborhoods during construction of the Murray Street Bridge Project, which has an estimated duration of two years.RTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/J4cE6Pz_U54?si=twHZsN6hTylIiwXY

The Commission received a presentation on two strategies for the implementation of the construction component of the Highway 1 Freedom Boulevard to State Park Drive Auxiliary Lanes and Bus on Shoulder, and Coastal Rail Trail Segment 12 Project. Final design and right of way is underway on the project which is scheduled to be construction-ready in fall 2026, and a decision is needed on which agency will serve as the implementing agency for the construction component of the project. Serving as the implementing agency for construction of the project entails advertising, awarding, and administering the construction contract.RTC staff and Caltrans developed two strategies for implementation of the project – a hybrid implementation by Caltrans (highway portion) and the RTC (rail trail portion), or have the RTC implement the entire project.The Commission approved the Caltrans/RTC hybrid implementation which would require splitting the project into two construction contracts. Staff has worked with Caltrans to develop a plan to split the two projects and will bring more information on the feasibility of the split to the Commission at a subsequent meeting for approval, as well as recommendations for entering into the needed Cooperative Agreements for the construction component, awarding and amending of construction management and design contracts to adopt plans, specifications, and engineer’s estimate for the project, and to add two additional staff to the RTC’s Capital Projects department.RTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/J4cE6Pz_U54?si=twHZsN6hTylIiwXY

The Commission received input from the public and approved the Fiscal Years (FY) 2025/26-2029/30 Measure D five-year programs of projects for regional projects funded by Measure D, and Community Bridges Lift Line projects. Measure D regional projects include Active Transportation/Rail Trail, Highway Corridors, Rail Corridor preservation, Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing, and San Lorenzo Valley-Highway 9 Corridor Improvements.The approved Measure D 5-year plan adds funding to projects previously approved in the plan and shifts funds between years to match project delivery schedules and project expenditure needs for a variety of projects in the Measure D Active Transportation, Highway and Rail categories.Some of the Measure D regional projects under construction currently and into the next year include Highway 1 Auxiliary Lanes and Bus-on-Shoulder between Bay/Porter and State Park, including a new bicycle/pedestrian overcrossing at Mar Vista Avenue, and Segment 5 of the Coastal Rail Trail from Wilder Ranch to Davenport on the Santa Cruz County North Coast. No new projects were programmed funds.Community Bridges Lift Line will continue to use its Measure D funds for three additional drivers, to support expanded weekday and weekend paratransit service, on vehicle operation costs, and on its new operations facility.The approved 5-year plans for spending Measure D funds are on the RTC website: www.sccrtc.org/move .RTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/J4cE6Pz_U54?si=twHZsN6hTylIiwXY

Adoption of the Consolidated Grants Program and Regional Transportation Improvement ProgramFollowing consideration of public and advisory committee input, the Commission adopted the 2025 Consolidated Grants Program and the 2026 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), approving road, bike, pedestrian and transit projects to receive the region’s anticipated formula share of certain state and federal funds totaling approximately $15 million. RTC staff used metrics to evaluate the projects that align with regional, state, and federal goals in the areas of access, safety, infrastructure condition, system performance and reliability, sustainability, resiliency, health, equity, and deliverability.Projects that received funding include:• Coastal Rail Trail Segments 8-9 and 10-11• Multimodal Projects on Soquel Drive, Freedom Blvd, and Bay Ave in Capitola• Santa Cruz METRO 90X express bus service between Santa Cruz and Watsonville using the new redbus-only shoulders on Highway 1• Pavement maintenance, roadway rehabilitation and traffic calming projects on local roadsthroughout the county• New and upgraded bike/pedestrian facilities projects in Capitola, Scotts Valley, and WatsonvilleRTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/J4cE6Pz_U54?si=twHZsN6hTylIiwXY

Caltrans ReportRTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/J4cE6Pz_U54?si=twHZsN6hTylIiwXY

Director's ReportRTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/J4cE6Pz_U54?si=twHZsN6hTylIiwXY

Meeting with California Transportation CommissionCommissioners Fred Keeley, Manu Koenig, and Eduardo Montesino met with California Transportation Commissioner (CTC) Carl Guardino and staff from both agencies on October 20, 2025, regarding the Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 6 grant award for the Coastal Rail Trail Segments 8 through 11 project.The meeting was held to discuss potential options for delivery of the Segments 8 through 11 project in light of significant construction cost escalation since the time of the original grant award. Commissioners inquired whether the RTC could retain the full Cycle 6 ATP grant amount while reducing the project scope to phase Segment 11 to a later date. Segment 11 represents approximately 2.5 miles of the total 6.7-mile project, and the CTC indicated that a one-third reduction in length is significant and would be unlikely to retain the full funding award. CTC staff said that they could still consider this request but would need to review a side-by-side comparison of project benefits between the original project scope and the proposed reduced-scope project. CTC staff confirmed that no additional ATP or other program funding is available to address the unprecedented cost escalation affecting transportation infrastructure projects statewide. CTC staff also expressed an openness to creative delivery approaches, such as an interim trail, that could achieve cost savings.RTC Documents are here:https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/Original video is here:https://youtu.be/J4cE6Pz_U54?si=twHZsN6hTylIiwXY

Q&A part 2 following Part 5 - Coastal Trail Project Delivery

Q&A - part 1 - Coastal Trail Project Delivery

The same as Part 5 but without the long introduction and project background. OverviewCoastal Rail Trail Segments 8-11 face significant funding and delivery challenges.Escalating costs and funding gaps threaten project timelines and scope.Multiple phasing and scope reduction options analyzed; none fully close the funding gap.$19.5M federal RAISE grant and $20.5M Safe Streets for All grant (pending) are key funding sources.Measure D sales tax is critical for leveraging state and federal funds, but is insufficient for full buildout.Project delivery is at risk due to strict grant deadlines and limited new funding opportunities.Project Introduction and Recusal for Conflict of InterestCoastal Rail Trail Segments 8-11 project delivery discussed.Chair Montecito recused due to conflict of interest.Planning grant for Watsonville circulation pursued, supporting previous Reconnecting Communities grant application.Focus on future project planning in City of Watsonville.Project Overview, Funding Success, and ChallengesCoastal Rail Trail is a 32-mile multi-use path from Davenport to Pajaro.Project divided into segments; current focus on segments 8–11 (Santa Cruz to Aptos).Project approval and environmental phase began in 2020; construction scheduled for 2027.Construction expected to take 2–4 years; significant time spent on environmental review and design.Recent efforts focus on cost reduction and project delivery strategies due to funding shortfalls.Cost Escalation, Funding Gaps, and Phasing OptionsValue engineering analysis and MOU with Roaring Camp completed to reduce track relocation costs.Secured $19.5M federal RAISE grant; City of Santa Cruz applied for $20.5M Safe Streets for All grant.Coastal Rail Trail segments 8–11 require additional funding for final design and construction by 2027.Existing grants do not cover cost increases; new state and federal funding is scarce and competitive.Project phasing and scope reduction options analyzed, but even minimal reductions exceed available Measure D revenues.Financial Scenarios, Grant Assumptions, and Feasibility AnalysisFuture project phases require funding; no identified source yet.Assumed minimum local match is 20% of project cost; higher match increases competitiveness.Option C funds 1.5 of 6.5 miles with Measure D, leaving ~$20–21M for future phases or matching.Financial analysis excludes potential $20M Safe Streets for All grant.Ongoing cost tracking; current funding gap addressed via Consolidated Grant Program application, with decisions expected in November.Distribution of Funds and Project Wrap-UpMajority of funds distributed to city and county of Santa Cruz.Significant portion allocated to corridor maintenance.Some funding dedicated to city of Watsonville.Project concept report used for trail alignment development in Watsonville.Regional portion of North Coast Trail under development.

OverviewCoastal Rail Trail Segments 8-11 face significant funding and delivery challenges.Escalating costs and funding gaps threaten project timelines and scope.Multiple phasing and scope reduction options analyzed; none fully close the funding gap.$19.5M federal RAISE grant and $20.5M Safe Streets for All grant (pending) are key funding sources.Measure D sales tax is critical for leveraging state and federal funds, but is insufficient for full buildout.Project delivery is at risk due to strict grant deadlines and limited new funding opportunities.Project Introduction and Recusal for Conflict of InterestCoastal Rail Trail Segments 8-11 project delivery discussed.Chair Montecito recused due to conflict of interest.Planning grant for Watsonville circulation pursued, supporting previous Reconnecting Communities grant application.Focus on future project planning in City of Watsonville.Project Overview, Funding Success, and ChallengesCoastal Rail Trail is a 32-mile multi-use path from Davenport to Pajaro.Project divided into segments; current focus on segments 8–11 (Santa Cruz to Aptos).Project approval and environmental phase began in 2020; construction scheduled for 2027.Construction expected to take 2–4 years; significant time spent on environmental review and design.Recent efforts focus on cost reduction and project delivery strategies due to funding shortfalls.Cost Escalation, Funding Gaps, and Phasing OptionsValue engineering analysis and MOU with Roaring Camp completed to reduce track relocation costs.Secured $19.5M federal RAISE grant; City of Santa Cruz applied for $20.5M Safe Streets for All grant.Coastal Rail Trail segments 8–11 require additional funding for final design and construction by 2027.Existing grants do not cover cost increases; new state and federal funding is scarce and competitive.Project phasing and scope reduction options analyzed, but even minimal reductions exceed available Measure D revenues.Financial Scenarios, Grant Assumptions, and Feasibility AnalysisFuture project phases require funding; no identified source yet.Assumed minimum local match is 20% of project cost; higher match increases competitiveness.Option C funds 1.5 of 6.5 miles with Measure D, leaving ~$20–21M for future phases or matching.Financial analysis excludes potential $20M Safe Streets for All grant.Ongoing cost tracking; current funding gap addressed via Consolidated Grant Program application, with decisions expected in November.Distribution of Funds and Project Wrap-UpMajority of funds distributed to city and county of Santa Cruz.Significant portion allocated to corridor maintenance.Some funding dedicated to city of Watsonville.Project concept report used for trail alignment development in Watsonville.Regional portion of North Coast Trail under development.

OverviewCaltrans announced the 2026-27 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program is open for applications, with $17.5M available for sustainable communities planning, $1.5M for strategic partnership planning, and $3M for transit partnerships.Multiple emergency and planned infrastructure projects are underway, including drainage repairs, retaining wall replacements, and erosion control, with key completion dates in December 2025 and Spring 2026.Ongoing efforts to improve temporary traffic signals and minimize disruption for travelers and cyclists.RTC is preparing grant applications for corridor planning and resiliency studies, including updates to the Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan and potential bus-on-shoulder studies.Caltrans Grant Program Announcement and DetailsCaltrans 2026-27 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program applications open; due September 21.Total funding: $17.5M for Sustainable Communities, $1.5M for Strategic Partnership Planning, $3M for Strategic Partnerships in Transit.Project Updates: Emergency Repairs and Traffic ManagementDrainage repair and retaining wall emergency project underway between Prospect and Lorenzo, south of Boulder Creek.Temporary signal initially caused delays due to fixed timing and extra cyclist time; reprogrammed with traffic sensor and push button for cyclists.Construction completion anticipated December 2024.Drainage and erosion control project on Highway 9 at 17 locations between Bin Le Mans and near 935 intersection.Second temporary signal for Highway 9 project planned for spring 2026; signals will not operate simultaneously.Commissioner Q&A: Ramp Closures and Design IssuesBay Porter off-ramp closure dates unavailable; follow-up pending.Paper Avenue ramps have a design issue under review with Caltrans.Unidentified elements in design plans caused a pause and redesign consideration.Ramp closure delayed to avoid unnecessary closure without a solution.RTC Grant Applications and Corridor Planning DiscussionRTC plans to submit a Caltrans Sustainable Planning Grant application to update the Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan.Plan update covers Soquel Drive/Freedom Boulevard, Highway 1, and Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.Bus-on-shoulder extensions and other improvements may be included in the plan update.RTC previously awarded $128.7 million from the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program in June.Additional planning grants under consideration include studies on branch line resiliency at more locations.Public Engagement, Town Hall, and Closing RemarksPublic town hall on state of roads scheduled for November 13th, 6 p.m., focusing on District 5, Santa Cruz County, San Lorenzo Valley, Highway 9.Commissioner Keaton requested a briefing on PRT and offered to help coordinate a meeting with Carl Gardena from CTC regarding ongoing issues.These podcasts were taken from Community TV's original video. It is available here:https://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/

Director's report.These podcasts were taken from Community TV's original video. It is available here:https://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/