California Coastal Conservancy Approves Funds for Rail Line Purchase
Dec 12, 2005
Public ownership and control of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line between Davenport and the Pajaro/Watsonville area took one step forward today thanks to approval of a $10 million reimbursable grant from the California Coastal Conservancy. The grant funds will be used to bridge a temporary gap in the receipt of promised state transportation funds for the rail line acquisition project.
The California Coastal Conservancy is a state agency that works in partnership with local governments, other public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners to purchase, protect, restore, and enhance coastal resources, and to provide access to the shore. One of the Coastal Conservancy's goals is to pursue implementation of a public access trail along the California coast from Oregon to Mexico, called the California Coastal Trail.
The Regional Transportation Commission will pay back the Coastal Conservancy without interest costs once State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds that have been designated for the rail right-of-way purchase become available, sometime over the next 5 years. In addition to the $10 million, the RTC will also be using Santa Cruz County's share of voter-approved Proposition 116 funds and federal funds secured by Congressman Sam Farr for the acquisition.
To learn more about the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line Acquisition and other regional transportation projects and programs, visit www.sccrtc.org or call 831-460-3200.