County Plans Integration with Statewide Rail Network

Caltrans Plans World-Class System Throughout California by 2040

Caltrans’ groundbreaking 2018 State Rail Plan establishes an integrated rail transportation system, enabling passengers to easily travel throughout California via regional, intercity and high-speed rail. The plan represents a major, long-term shift in focus from expanding highways to expanding railways and includes significant funding for passenger rail service in Santa Cruz County.

In summary, the State Rail Plan aims to transform California into the “Switzerland of North America” with efficient, reliable, integrated rail service by 2040.

“Santa Cruz County is a clear winner in the state’s visionary rail plan for local rail service that connects us to the rest of the state,” said Mark Mesiti-Miller, Board Chair of Friends of the Rail & Trail. “Santa Cruz County has received the attention of state transportation planners and they are taking our needs seriously, as evidenced by the $1.5 billion in funding targeted at the Central Coast.”

The State Rail Plan also aligns perfectly with Scenario B, as described in the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s Unified Corridors Study, which includes both rail and trail in accordance with the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network Master Plan adopted in 2014 by the cities of Santa Cruz, Capitola and Watsonville; the County of Santa Cruz and the SCCRTC.

In Santa Cruz County, the State Rail Plan includes a station at Watsonville where the Santa Cruz County branch line will connect to the entire state rail network.

Learn more about the 2018 State Rail Plan at http://www.dot.ca.gov/californiarail/. Funding information is available on page 194.

•••

Friends of the Rail & Trail exists to expedite development of a 32-mile biking/walking trail running the length of Santa Cruz County, while keeping the rail line for future transit. Rail and Trail together will support a variety of transportation modes meeting the needs of the greatest number of residents. More information is available at www.railandtrail.org, or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.