Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Climate Resilience Study

Study Overview

The Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail (ZEPRT) Climate Resilience Study will analyze and develop climate-resilient concepts for vulnerable locations along the ZEPRT corridor of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line (Branch Line).

The RTC’s ZEPRT Project proposes high-capacity passenger rail service between the City of Santa Cruz and Pajaro Junction, just south of Watsonville. The Branch Line corridor is vulnerable to climate change impacts. Like many communities along the California coast, Santa Cruz County is already facing significant and costly consequences from climate change and sea level rise. Coastal erosion rates at certain locations along the Branch Line corridor are among the highest in the county, and sea levels are expected to continue rising alongside more frequent extreme storm and flood events.

The ZEPRT Climate Resilience Study will assess climate stressors at the corridor’s four most vulnerable locations (Capitola Bluffs, La Selva/Manresa Bluffs, Harkins Slough Rail Crossing and Pajaro River Rail Bridge) and will identify and recommend climate-resilient design concepts for these locations. Concepts will be developed for short-, medium- and long-term climate projections, with climate resiliency strategies considering protection, accommodation and/or retreat from climate hazards.

To accommodate development of an interim trail, the study will evaluate concepts for trail-only alternatives at the three sites without active freight rail (Capitola Bluffs, La Selva/Manresa Bluffs, and Harkins Slough) for the short-term.

Scope of Study

The study will identify and evaluate potential climate-resilient design measures and alignment alternatives in addition to those identified in the ZEPRT Project Concept Report for each of the four study locations (additional vulnerable areas may be identified for future study but are not included at this time). This work will include:

• Use of the Caltrans Adaptation Framework and California State Sea Level Rise Guidance (2024) to assess existing conditions and climate stressors including sea level rise, storm surge, coastal erosion, flooding, and wildfire impacts.
• Development of alternatives identifying and addressing needs for a resilient corridor over various timeframes, which support eventual permitting requirements. Alternatives will consider a variety of criteria and could include (but are not limited to) rock slope protection, beach nourishment, or elevation or relocation of the rail and trail infrastructure.
• Documentation of the alternative design concepts into a draft climate resilience plan, including a summary of alternatives evaluation and a roadmap for implementation of design concepts and next steps for execution and potential funding sources.
• Selection of recommended design concepts with consideration for transit-dependent and underserved populations, technical robustness, longevity of design, maintaining access to the beach, greenhouse gas reduction, public health, natural ecosystem, and cost. The recommended design concepts will be documented in the final climate resilience plan.

Study Schedule

The study team is currently conducting data collection and hazard analysis at the identified study locations, as part of an assessment of the existing conditions. Future phases of work will develop and identify design concepts for recommendation and will include opportunities for community review and input.

Engagement Opportunities

The RTC and its study partners are committed to meaningful, proactive, and focused public and stakeholder engagement throughout the study phases, through direct stakeholder outreach as well as virtual and in-person public meetings.

Stay tuned for more information on the engagement opportunities coming in Phase 2 (summer 2026), when the study team will share more details on the development of the draft alternative design concepts and seek community input.

To stay informed about future engagement opportunities, sign up to be added to the study mailing list and receive regular updates.

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Email questions or comments to zeprtCR@sccrtc.org

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