By Jondi Gumz
Everyone in Aptos Village is talking about the railroad tracks being removed.
Railroad tracks are being removed in Aptos Village. • Photo Credit: Todd Marco
I thought it might be a project by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, which owns the rail line, but it’s actually a county project.
On March 11, County Public Works announced construction of the Parade Street railroad crossing would begin March 14 and conclude June 30, with potential delays due to lane closures during work hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The contractor is Anderson Pacific.
According to a March 18 county blogpost on Aptos Village Phase 2B, “The project is very close to completion. The new paving has been installed and striping is nearly complete. Most of the utilities have been raised. Only a few items remain … Signals are scheduled to be energized March 30.
Aptos Village: Bereft of its railroad track. • Credit: Todd Marco
“Finetuning of fiber optic synchronization of the five area signals will take place in the days following … Railroad signal work will continue through March … Pavement markings and green bike lane striping will be installed by the end of March. Project signage will be installed by then as well.”
All village businesses will remain open during construction.
Here’s a March 30 update from Steve Wiesner, assistant director of Santa Cruz County Community Development & Infrastructure (the department formerly known as Public Works):
Is the new railroad crossing going in?
Yes, the Parade Sreett railroad crossing is currently being constructed by the developer.
What’s the timetable?
Due to delays is material procurement, we anticipate construction will be completed by August 2022.
And the cost?
This project is being managed and constructed by the developer and we are not privy to their construction costs.
I’ve heard that Aptos Village Phase 2 has been held up by the requirement to complete Parade Street in Aptos, and Parade Street construction has been held up by the railroad. Is that correct?
Construction of the Parade Street railroad crossing is included in the Improvement Plans for the Aptos Village Phase II development project.
While there have been delays, none of the delays were cause by any single or two reasons … there are a myriad of factors.
Watch for updates at aptosvillageimprovement.blogspot.com