Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission

This document outlines the planning efforts for climate resilience of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line corridor. The plan aims to evaluate climate stressors, including sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion, and flooding, and their potential impacts on future transportation infrastructure. It focuses on developing and evaluating adaptation concepts such as rock slope protection, beach regeneration, drainage improvements, and infrastructure elevation or relocation. The overall objective is to recommend resilient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound strategies to ensure the future of essential transportation corridors, support environmental protection, enhance community access, and improve regional mobility. A final Climate Resilience Plan is anticipated by summer 2027.

The committee meeting agenda includes discussions on AB 2449 remote participation requests, staff announcements, and oral communications. Key regular agenda items involve receiving information and providing input on the City of Watsonville's Clifford Ave Road Rehabilitation and Traffic Calming Project, the Cruz 511 Hazard Report Form, the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line Corridor Climate Resilience Study, and receiving oral updates related to committee functions.

The agenda focuses on operational procedures, including the consideration of requests for remote participation due to emergency circumstances and adjustments to the agenda. Key discussion topics include receiving project updates from various community and transportation entities, a climate resilience study for the Santa Cruz Branch rail line, the Clifford Avenue rehabilitation and traffic calming project in Watsonville, and a report on risk forms. Additionally, the committee will review highlights from the previous Regional Transportation Commission meeting and receive reports regarding pedestrian hazards.

The commission discussed various items including projects and planning, such as the Planning for Climate Resilience of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, the North Coast Transportation Demand Management Plan, and the Safe on 17 Safety Corridor Program. Significant actions included amending contracts for towing and marketing services, authorizing agreements for highway auxiliary lanes, and approving the RTC Overall Work Program. Additionally, the commission reviewed Measure D-Rail Corridor funds, Transportation Development Act revenues, and various administrative items, including a claim rejection, TDA allocations, and appointments to the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee. The agenda also included a closed session for an executive director performance evaluation and labor negotiations, as well as the adoption of the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan.

The committee meeting covered updates on various local transportation projects and programs from several agencies, including METRO, UCSC, the County of Santa Cruz, and the City of Santa Cruz. Key discussion topics included the Rural Highways Safety Plan, preparations for storm damage response and funding, the review of the Draft 2050 Regional Transportation Plan, and the AMBAG Draft 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Additionally, the committee provided input on the commission's draft 2026 Legislative Program.