The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) selected projects to receive over $14 million in local shares of federal and state transportation funds.Following a public hearing, the RTC approved funds for 26 projects including:
- Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network (MBSST or Rail Trail) – $5.3 Million
- Rail Trail in Santa Cruz from Natural Bridges Drive to wharf area
- Rail Trail in Watsonville connecting Lee Road to slough trail system
- Twin Lakes Beachfront: East Cliff Drive from 5th-7th Avenues
- Pavement repairs in Bonny Doon, San Lorenzo Valley, Live Oak, Freedom, Summit and other unincorporated areas – $2.7 million
- Airport Boulevard sidewalks and roadway rehabilitation near Hanger Way, Watsonville – $1,195,000
- Mt. Hermon Rd/Scotts Valley Dr/Whispering Pines Intersection added turn lanes – $346,000
- Paratransit: new Metro ParaCruz vans and buses – $345,000
- Highway 1/9 Intersection modifications: add turn lanes, bike lanes/shoulders – $479,000
- Other Projects: Bus mainline service planning; Bay Ave/Capitola Ave Roundabout; Freeway Service Patrol tow truck service; school bicycle safety program; bicycle and pedestrian trail projects; environmental review of Highway 1 Corridor projects
- Next Project in Highway 1 Corridor: The RTC also voted to reserve $2 million towards future construction of auxiliary lanes on Highway 1 between 41st Ave and Soquel Drive Auxiliary Lanes including a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over Highway 1 near Chanticleer Avenue.
The majority of public comments expressed support for development of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network (MBSST), which will provide connections to activity centers, coastal access points and other key destinations for bicycle, pedestrian, wheelchair, and other non-motorized travel through a trail network adjacent to the Santa Cruz Branch rail line right-of-way and along the coast.
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Projects approved for funds by the RTC are included in the 2014 Santa Cruz CountyRegional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP). The availability of some of the funding is subject to concurrence from the California Transportation Commission (CTC). Additional information on the 2014 RTIP, including information on the projects approved for new funds and the related staff report, are available for review at the Regional Transportation Commission’s website: www.sccrtc.org/funding-planning/project-funding/.
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