The Commission received an update on the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project’s concept development, including an overview of Milestone 3 engagement activities completed as well as information on current work in progress, infrastructure evaluation, and potential funding opportunities.

The first in the series of Milestone 4 Informational Sessions took place on March 12 and included a presentation on rail bridges which may be slated for repair, rehabilitation, or replacement. The project team also provided conceptual cost estimates ($980 million) for replacement and repair of bridge structures along the Branch Line.

The Commission directed staff to come back to the Commission with alternatives to reduce the cost estimates for replacement and repair of the bridge structures. The Commission also directed staff to pursue intercity passenger rail service on the Branch Line by aligning the Zero Emission Passenger Rail Project Concept with what is envisioned in the California State Rail Plan in order to maximize opportunities for both state and federal funding and technical support.

The draft Project Concept Report is expected to be released in summer 2025 together with the preliminary opinion of probable conceptual capital, operations, and maintenance cost estimates.

The meeting agenda and highlights are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-03-20-RTC-agenda-packet.pdf

Handouts, minutes and highlights from the RTC are here:

https://www.sccrtc.org/meetings/regional-transportation-commission/agendas/

The Community TV video is here:

https://youtu.be/QpGeNbfv5cY?si=fMS_6lgcxJsWXe76

Or here:

https://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/

The podcasts (some with transcripts) are here:

https://rss.com/podcasts/sccrtc-110223/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/santa-cruz-county-transit-and-transportation-agency/id1720282404

https://open.spotify.com/show/1vJXGHLhKzj1mhs5Z8wXTw