Current Project Phase
Anticipated key milestones are occurring throughout the development of the ZEPRT Project Concept Report. This phase of work includes development of a Project Description, and Preliminary Purpose and Need Statement, alternatives analysis and environmental screening of preliminary rail and trail conceptual alignments, refinement of conceptual alignments into one preferred build concept, and preparation of draft and final Project Concept Report.
Potential Project Next Steps
Completed Project Concept Report
The RTC will complete and document key understandings and outcomes as well as the outreach conducted for this current phase to inform and advance future project activities. The RTC needs to secure and prioritize funding in order to advance the ZEPRT project into the next steps of preliminary engineering and environmental review, subject to the RTC Commission's approval.
Continue Broad Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
Together with key stakeholders and partner agencies, continue to cooperatively identify and define needs, issues, challenges and opportunities related to implementation of passenger rail service from Pajaro to Santa Cruz, and to collect further inputs to define next steps and confirm the scope and schedule of the project.
Continue Resiliency Planning for Both Rail & Trail along the Branch Line
Caltrans awarded the RTC a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant to develop a plan for climate resilience of the ZEPRT corridor. Technical analysis of existing conditions and climate hazards will inform project concepts at the four most vulnerable locations along the ZEPRT corridor: Capitola bluffs, La Selva/Manresa bluffs, Harkins Slough Rail Crossing, and Pajaro River Rail Bridge. The project concepts will be developed for short (2030), medium (2050) and long-term (2100) climate projections that consider protection, accommodation and/or retreat strategies from climate hazards at these vulnerable locations.
Identify Potential Funding Sources and Other Options for Project Advancement
Consider anticipated federal and state grant and formula funding sources and the potential for public-private partnerships to strategically advance the project through planning, design, permitting, construction and implementation in a manner that meets demand for the service and funding availability.