Segment 5 – North Coast

Phase I and Phase II state and federal environmental review was completed in 2019 and 2021. Phase I and Phase II final design and permitting were completed in 2023 and construction began in June 2024. Phase III is scheduled to complete environmental review in 2024, design in 2025, and begin construction in 2027.

Project webpage

Project Fact Sheet

Segment 7 – Westside of Santa Cruz

Construction of Phase I was completed in December 2020 and is now open. Construction of Phase II began in July 2022 and is scheduled to be completed in 2024.

Project webpage

Project Fact Sheet

Segment 8 & 9 – Boardwalk to 17th Ave

The multi-use path cantilevered off the San Lorenzo River Railroad Trestle was completed in 2019. Preliminary engineering and environmental review will be complete in 2023. Final design is scheduled for completion in 2024 and the project is scheduled to go to construction in 2025.

Project webpage

Project Fact Sheet

Segment 10 & 11 – 17th Ave to State Park Drive

The project, with the exception of the Capitola trestle, began the environmental phase in 2021 and was completed in 2024. The final design phase is expected to be completed in 2025. The project is scheduled to go to construction in 2026.

Final EIR Now Available (released March 6, 2024)

FAQ: Capitola Trestle on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line

Project webpage

Project Fact Sheet

Segment 12 – State Park Drive to Rio Del Mar Blvd

This project is being completed as part of the Highway 1 (State Park Drive to Freedom Boulevard) Auxiliary Lanes and Bus-on-Shoulder project. Environmental work was completed in 2024, and right of way and design work is scheduled to be completed by late 2024. Pending funding availability, could go to construction in 2025.

Project webpage (Final EIR Available)

Project Fact Sheet

Segment 18 – Watsonville

The environmental phase was completed in 2015. Phase I opened in spring 2021. Phase II is in the final design phase.

Project Fact Sheet

The broad vision is for a Trail Network project that will span the coast of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary from the San Mateo/Santa Cruz County line to Pacific Grove, in Monterey County. The RTC is leading the planning effort for project development in Santa Cruz County and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) is responsible for Monterey County projects. This approach will ensure that the planned bicycle/pedestrian network will provide connectivity throughout the county and into the Monterey Bay region, and serve as the California Coastal Trail in Santa Cruz County.

Resources

• Rails-with-Trails – examples from other communities and resources

In November 2016, Santa Cruz County voters approved Measure D – which commits 17% of revenue from the sales tax for trail construction, maintenance and management. Congressman Sam Farr is one of the project’s most passionate champions and secured millions of federal dollars to kickoff construction of this two-county path while he was in Congress. In 2013, the RTC selected specific sections of the trail to receive $5.3 million in federal and state funds .

Funding partnerships with the California Coastal Conservancy , Land Trust of Santa Cruz County and Friends of the Rail and Trail will enable the RTC to leverage state and federal grants.

The award winning Final Master Plan establishes the continuous alignment for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network, including the Coastal Rail Trail spine, and associated spur trails. The Final Master Plan identifies planning issues associated with the trail’s construction and presents design, implementation, long-term operation and maintenance, policies, and options. The Master Plan was adopted November 7, 2013 with a revision adopted February 6, 2014, after a 3-year-long public and stakeholder engagement process.

Final Environmental Document
A Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was certified on November 7, 2013 and an addendum was considered on February 6, 2014.