Overview

• Caltrans 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 Details

• Caltrans 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 Management

• Drainage 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 Issues

• Bay 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 Discussion

• RTC 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 Remarks

• Public 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/