The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) will be holding public workshops next week to gather input into the recently released Draft Master Plan for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network (Trail Network) project. The Draft Master Plan defines the “rail trail”, a proposed bicycle and pedestrian trail adjacent to the Santa Cruz Branch rail line right-of-way, as the spine of a broader network of trails that will provide connections to activity centers, coastal access points and other key destinations.
The Trail Network will serve bicycle, pedestrian, wheelchair, and other non-motorized travel on a paved right-of-way separated from vehicular traffic and adjacent to the operational rail line wherever possible. The on-street roadway network will provide connectivity from the trail to other destination points. Natural surface paths will provide access to coastal viewing points.
The Draft Master Plan defines the continuous multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail network, a set of design standards, prioritization criteria, estimated costs, operation, maintenance, and implementation mechanisms for approximately 50 miles of trails. The Draft Master Plan is available for download here. A limited number of hardcopies and CDs are available at the Santa Cruz and Watsonville RTC offices and at the Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville public libraries.
The series of evening public workshops will focus on gathering input on the Draft Master Plan and will be held on the dates and times listed below. Each workshop will have a similar format.
Monday, November 26, 2012
6 PM – 8 PM
Aptos
Community Foundation
7807 Soquel Drive
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
6 PM – 8 PM
Davenport
Pacific Elementary School
50 Ocean St
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
6 PM – 8 PM
Live Oak
Simpkins Family Swim Center
979 17th Ave.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
6 PM – 8 PM
City of Watsonville
Civic Plaza Community Room
275 Main St. 4th Floor
* Spanish translator available
All comments will be considered in the preparation of the Final Master Plan and must be submitted in writing by December 21, 2012. Please direct your comments to info@sccrtc.org.
For more information about the Trail Network project or to sign up for e-news, please visit the RTC website: www.sccrtc.org.
