SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Local officials have agreed to provide funds to start a study to shape a proposal for a 22-mile electrified passenger rail system in Santa Cruz County — although they are providing only half the funds needed for what is expected to be a two-year study and lack the funds to complete the project.
The Santa Cruz Sentinel reports the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission voted 11-1 to approve a recommendation to contract with HDR Engineering for the project concept report, and provided $3.8 million in funding. The report is expected to cost about $7.7 million, with the commission planning to pursue grants to cover the remainder.
Despite the overwhelming vote in favor of the contract, a number of members of the commission expressed concerns about the project. Ultimately, they felt the study to better define the project was a necessary next step.
“As somebody who’s generally a strong supporter of rail, it’s possible I’m going to be persuaded at some point in this process not to spend that next $20 million or something,” Commissioner Mike Rotkin said, according to the Sentinel. “But at this point, I think we owe it to the public to proceed with the process we have now.”
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