News regarding Santa Cruz County Greenway
Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) staff, better known for careful long-term studies than agile decision making, are moving quickly and quietly with the current rail operator proposal and negotiation process. Given the unique and extraordinary value of our coastal corridor, this is not prudent.
Last week the Santa Cruz City Council voted to approve the issuance of a $109K contract to build out Phase 1 of Segment 7 of the rail-with-trail plan. Although this approval was expected, there was a last minute flurry of excitement as trail plans include a cut through the New Leaf Community Market parking lot and the city does not have a written agreement to do so. New Leaf Market and the property owner have agreed to negotiate with the city to come up with a solution to avoid an on-street re-route.
On Dec. 13, Iowa Pacific, the rail operator for Santa Cruz County’s rail line, confirmed that they plan to end their contract—more evidence that a train on this old freight corridor does not make sense. We suggest the RTC take advantage of this opportunity to stop planning “excursion-themed services” and start working on achievable, climate-friendly, alternatives to gridlock.
The Santa Cruz County Business Council Board of Directors voted unanimously to endorse the building of a “multi-use, contiguous trail, with separate pedestrian and bike lanes, down the center of the corridor” [Greenway] over the potential future option of having an active rail line, and bike and pedestrian pathway together.
The founding members of Inclusive Greenway announced today that they support the trail proposal advocated by the Santa Cruz County Greenway organization as the safest, most accessible and inclusive option for the Santa Cruz County community.
Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, one of the largest employers in Santa Cruz County, today endorsed the plan advocated by the Santa Cruz County Greenway organization as the safest and healthiest transportation option for the Santa Cruz County community.
150 doctors and medical professionals announced today that they support the trail proposal advocated by the Santa Cruz County Greenway organization (sccgreenway.org) as the safest and healthiest option for the Santa Cruz County community.
