Aptos Crossing Agreement Reached

Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay Railway Company (SC&MB) and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) announced that an agreement has been reached with Barry Swenson Builder and Aptos Ventures, LLC, providing for changes in grade crossings to accommodate the planned Aptos Village Project. The challenge for this project was to meet state and federal safety requirements for railroad crossings and plans for future freight and passenger train operations in a way that complements the Aptos Village Plan approved by Santa Cruz County in 2010.

Ed Ellis, president of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Railway, said “SC&MB wants to be a good neighbor, and we are pleased that we found a middle ground that works for everyone concerned. I particularly want to acknowledge the contribution of supervisor Zach Friend, who was instrumental in helping to work on a resolution for the complicated issues involved.”

Zach Friend, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commissioner, said “This agreement to add a new crossing, Parade Street, will form the gateway to the Aptos Village core and the project represents a huge step for the community. The Aptos Village Project is important to our area and we are glad that an agreement could be reached that provides an entry to the Aptos Village that maximizes safety to meet the concerns of the railway.”

Master developer Barry Swenson Builder looks forward to the project’s next steps with heightened enthusiasm. As expressed by Jesse Nickell, Senior Vice President of Barry Swenson Builder in Santa Cruz, “Parade Street is a vital link to the proposed village green and heart of Aptos Village. We greatly appreciate SC&MB working with us on this important issue so the project plans as fully-envisioned by the Aptos community can move forward.”

The County of Santa Cruz, the Regional Transportation Commission, Santa Cruz & Monterey Bay Railway, and Barry Swenson Builder will now work together to obtain approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the new street crossing and all of the other railroad crossing improvements. This will help clear the way for the implementation of the approved Aptos Village Plan.