RTC to Host Community Open Houses for Input on Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project’s Purpose and Need

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is hosting community open houses to obtain public input on the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project’s Preliminary Purpose and Need Statement. The project proposes new high-capacity passenger rail service and stations on approximately 22 miles of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line from the City of Santa Cruz to Pajaro, as well as 12 miles of Coastal Rail Trail from Rio Del Mar Boulevard through the community of La Selva Beach and the City of Watsonville.

The Project’s Purpose and Need Statement identifies and documents the needs and constraints that drive the development of transportation improvements in the Project study area and further outlines the opportunities to address these needs through the project’s fundamental purpose.

Community members are invited to attend upcoming in-person and virtual open houses to learn more about the Project and provide input on the Preliminary Purpose and Need Statement, which will guide the development of the project concept and is the first project milestone.

In-Person:

Monday, Feb. 12, 2024
6:00 to 7:30 PM
Ramsay Park Family Center
1301 Main St., Watsonville

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024
6:00 to 7:30 PM
Live Oak Grange
1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz

Virtual:
Available at http://www.zeprt.com from Feb. 5 through March 4, 2024.

The public can also provide input at a public hearing during the Feb. 1 RTC meeting (see meeting agenda for details) or submit written comments by 9:00 a.m., Jan. 31 to: 1101 Pacific Ave., Suite 250, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 or email: zeprt@sccrtc.org.

For more information on the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project, visit https://sccrtc.org/zeprt/.