Construction of Coastal Rail Trail Segment 7 Phase II begins Mid-July

The City of Santa Cruz is scheduled to begin construction of Coastal Rail Trail Segment 7/Phase II in mid-July. The project will create 0.8 miles of paved, multi-use path from Bay and California streets to Pacific Avenue. Construction is estimated to be completed in about 12 months, by the end of summer 2023.

The Coastal Rail Trail Segment 7/Phase II contract award of $11,395,667 is funded by a $9 million Active Transportation Program Cycle 5 grant from Caltrans and matching local funds from Measure D, passed by voters in 2016.

The project furthers implementation of the largest active transportation project in Santa Cruz County, offering an important path towards long term mode shift. It connects to the recently completed Coastal Rail Trail Segment 7/Phase I, which serves over 600 active transportation users per day as measured by automated counter in 2021.

The project is entirely located within a disadvantaged community (DAC) area which is the lowest income census tract in the City of Santa Cruz. It includes an innovative “vertical” non-infrastructure program at Bay View Elementary School, providing active transportation education and encouragement at every grade level for the first time in Santa Cruz City Schools.

When the Segment 7/Phase II project is completed, there will be two miles of Coastal Rail Trail in Santa Cruz from Natural Bridges Drive to Pacific Avenue connecting over 30,000 residents who live within one mile of the trail to schools, work, beaches, shopping and other activity centers.

The community is invited to celebrate the project’s groundbreaking on Thursday, Aug. 11, 12:15 -12:45 p.m. at La Barranca Park, 700 Bay Street, near the intersection of California Avenue. More details will be available as the date approaches at www.cityofsantacruz.com/CoastalRailTrail.

This project is part of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network Master Plan. Project plans, specifications and frequently asked questions can be viewed at www.cityofsantacruz.com/CoastalRailTrail.