Coastal trail projects receive federal investment
Rep. Jimmy Panetta announced a new federal investment in coastal trail projects in California’s 19th Congressional District. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $19.5 million to the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) to support the segments of the Coastal Rail Trail.
The grant award will fund construction of 8 miles of the Coastal Rail Trail in Santa Cruz County, between Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz and Rio del Mar Boulevard in Aptos. The $19.5 million in federal funds will be combined with state and 2016 Measure D funds to fully fund the new dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facility that serves some of the most densely populated areas in Santa Cruz County.
The 32-mile Coastal Rail Trail is the “spine” of the regional Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network (MBSST), a planned 50-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail network along the Santa Cruz County coast, from the San Mateo County line in the north to the Monterey County line in the south.
Project benefits include improved safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, expanded access to coastal resources, increased connectivity to employment, recreation, and housing opportunities, and reductions in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) that will decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Santa Cruz County Fair hosts theme contest
Santa Cruz County Fair is inviting community members to participate in its Annual Fair Theme Contest.
Participants are encouraged to submit creative theme ideas that capture the vibrant spirit of the diverse local community, with a focus on such topics as “Youth in Agriculture,” “Crafting and Arts in Santa Cruz,” “Stepping into the Future,” “Coastal Life” or “Celebrating Agriculture.”
The winning entry will earn four complimentary tickets and a parking pass for the 2025 Santa Cruz County Fair, scheduled for Sept. 10-14.
Submissions are due by Jan. 31 at 5pm and can be sent via email to in**@sa*****************.com or delivered in person or by mail to Santa Cruz County Fair, Theme Contest, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville, CA 95076.
For more details about the Fair and other events, visit santacruzcountyfair.com.
AARP Smart Driver classes available
Smart Driver classes are designed to help maturing drivers maintain safe driving skills and keep their licenses longer. California insurance companies are required by law to give a discount for three years to seniors who complete this class.
The regular 8-hour class is offered in two 4-hour sessions; the refresher class is offered in one 4.5-hour class. The class fee is $25/person, $20/person for AARP members and free for those who have their Medicare Supplement through AARP’s United Health.
Registration is recommended, as drop-ins may find the class is full or has been canceled for lack of enrollment. Classes are offered in Santa Cruz and Watsonville.
To register or get more information, call Fred at 831-247-3097.
Four drivers arrested at DUI checkpoint
Four drivers were arrested for DUI at a DUI checkpoint on Dec. 13, held at Mount Hermon Road between Glen Canyon and Scotts Valley Drive from 8:45pm-12am.
A total of 661 vehicles were contacted during this checkpoint.
This was a collaborative checkpoint with officers from Scotts Valley PD, CHP, Santa Cruz PD, Capitola PD and State Parks.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads.
Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The report on Coastal trail projects receive federal investment has a gross inaccuracy. The $19.5 million received will only fund a small portion of less than miles of the Coastal Rail Trail in Santa Cruz County, between Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz and Rio del Mar Boulevard in Aptos.
The $19.5M has been presented as funding Segs. 8-12 (6.45 miles). Seg.12 isn’t even estimated. The combined Segs. 8-11 project cost was last estimated in 2024 at $170.7M with $103.4M of CTC/ATP funding. This leaves a deficit of $66.1M just to complete the 6.45 miles (or 1/5 of the total trail length). The $19.5M is a small portion of this. Measure D will be completely spent with no funding for segments 12-20 (South County).
Here are the best/latest numbers…
Project Costs and funding:
1) Segments 8 & 9 is $59M with $35.766M in CTC/ATP funding.
Deficit/Measure D funds: $25.5M. Note: the unfunded deficit rose by $10.3M in 2024 from its earlier project cost estimate of $48.7M.
2) Segments 10 & 11 is $111.7M with $67.599M in CTC/ATP funding.
Deficit/Measure D funds: $40.6M.
Note: the deficit rose by $27.3M in 2024 from its earlier project cost estimate of $84.7M.
3) For combined Segments 8-11, the project cost is $170.7M with $103.4M in CTC/ATP funding.
Deficit/Measure D funds: $66.1M
Note: Deficit rose by $37.3M with the newer 2024 estimates.
4) IMPORTANT: There is no public estimate for Segment 12 (last that I’ve heard/read). It will be very expensive (over $30M/mile) for its 1.14-mile segment.
5) IMPORTANT: Costs are expected to rise with each new engineering estimate.