Santa Cruz Community Invitation: Rail Trail Segment 7/Phase I Virtual Ribbon-Cutting On December 10

Press release from the City of Santa Cruz:

December 3, 2020

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The City of Santa Cruz welcomes the community to celebrate the virtual ribbon-cutting of Coastal Rail Trail Segment 7/Phase I on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 12:30 to 1 p.m. This paved multi-use trail runs 1.2 miles from Natural Bridges Drive to Bay/California streets and is a part of the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission’s Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network Master Plan. The link to attend this Zoom event is located at www.cityofsantacruz.com/RailTrail.

“The completion of Rail Trail Segment 7/Phase I is an important quality-of-life improvement for the Santa Cruz community. Whether on bike, foot, scooter or wheelchair, this paved trail allows all of us to more safely enjoy our beautiful coast,” said Mayor Justin Cummings.

The virtual ribbon-cutting will be hosted by Mayor Cummings and Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Executive Director Guy Preston. Speakers include Santa Cruz County Supervisor Ryan Coonerty, Sally Arnold, Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail and Trail, Kirsten Liske of Ecology Action, Hilary Walecka, Coastal Conservancy, and Gina Gallino Cole, Bike Santa Cruz County.

The multi-use trail is 12 to 16 feet wide. It includes 10 green crossbikes from Natural Bridges Drive to Bay/California streets — these are roadway crossings that allow cyclists to remain mounted and ride through the intersections with high visibility. The trail includes a bridge over Arroyo Seco channel, a retaining wall west of Almar Avenue and additional vehicle and bike parking at and around New Leaf Market.

The total cost of Rail Trail Segment 7/Phase I is $6.4 million funded through City, County and State agencies. The voter approved Measure D sales tax has provided $3.1 million for all of Segment 7.

When Phase II of Segment 7 is built, there will be 2.1 miles of Coastal Rail Trail in Santa Cruz from Natural Bridges Drive to East Cliff Drive connecting over 30,000 residents who live within one mile of the trail to schools, work, beaches, shopping and other activity centers. Segment 7 will provide a safer alternative to Mission Street with connection to the Beach Street bikeway.

This press release was produced by the City of Santa Cruz. The views expressed here are the author’s own.