Rail Corridor Funding Approved PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Noel Smith   
Thursday, 15 July 2010 00:00
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Aptos Times: Mid-July 2010

A21007webcoverThe California Transportation Commission (CTC) unanimously granted approval for state funding to purchase the rail line between Davenport and Watsonville by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) on the last possible day, June 30.

SCCRTC Executive Director, George Dondero said. “It was a real nail biter.”

Dondero explained,” Without the approval of the CTC the funds would not be available and the purchase couldn’t happen. The next step is the actual allocation of funds by the state. This could happen at the next CTC meeting August 11 but because of the state’s budget situation, the funds may not be available until a later time.”

The RTC and Union Pacific agreed on a purchase price of $14.2 million, plus post-acquisition improvements in the amount of $5 million. Proposition 116 funds are providing $10.2 million with the balance of $10 million coming from State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds.

Proposition 116 was approved by California voters in 1990 with a 53% majority statewide and 60% majority in Santa Cruz County. The funds may only be used for rail projects.

Even though the state is now obligated to provide funding for the purchase, the actual availability will likely be delayed. But this postponement of funding will not affect current freight operations being provided by Sierra Northern Railway (Sierra). The Woodland-based company has assumed the lease for the rail line and is now using its locomotives to haul freight on the Davenport to Watsonville line twice per week to serve existing freight customers.

Sierra Northern currently handles freight operations on 165 miles of railroad including Santa Cruz County. Its parent company, Sierra Railroad runs tourist trains, which include the Sacramento River Train, the Skunk Train from Fort Bragg, to Willits in Mendocino County and the Sierra Railroad Dinner Train.

According to Dondero, “Funding approval by the CTC depended to a large part on the SCCRTC’s plan to provide recreational passenger service from Santa Cruz to Davenport.”

In addition, Sierra Railway plans to spend up to $2 million to implement recreational rail service from Santa Cruz to Davenport. Sierra has already upgraded most of the track between Santa Cruz and Davenport to Class I in preparation for this recreational rail service.

Class I allows passenger service at a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour and does not require improvements to run passenger service.

As operator Sierra will be responsible for operations, maintenance and start-up costs associated with the new rail service.

“However funding for the purchase and the close of escrow,” said Dondero “would have to be completed before this service can begin.”
The soonest recreational rail service between Davenport and Santa Cruz could begin would most likely be the summer of 2011.

•••
Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line

The 32 mile long railroad right-of-way parallels Highway 1 from the town of Pajaro in Monterey County, to Davenport in Santa Cruz County. The right-of-way is from 50 to 60 feet wide with 37 bridges and trestles with major crossings of the Pajaro River, Highway 1, Soquel Creek, the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and the San Lorenzo River.

Adjacent land uses include residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and park land/open space. The corridor links major tourism and activity centers as it traverses downtown Watsonville, Aptos Village, Capitola Village, the Santa Cruz Beach area near downtown Santa Cruz and the coast north to historic Davenport.

The corridor provides potentially easy access to many parks and recreational facilities, including: Manresa State Beach, Seacliff State Beach, New Brighton State Park, Simpkins Swim Center, Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, Natural Bridges State Park and Wilder Ranch State Park and to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary at several key locations.

•••
For more information on transportation projects in the County visit the SCCRTC website at www.sccrtc.org/
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