Work is expected to finish in February on a paved rail trail near California Street and the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility. The path will run along the railroad tracks toward Neary Lagoon and Beach Street. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local)

SANTA CRUZ >> Construction of the rail trail from California to Beach streets in Santa Cruz is expected to finish in February, rather than by the end of the year, authorities said this week.

Wet weather this year and unexpected utility work caused delays on the new paved path, said Ricardo Valdes, a senior professional engineer for the City of Santa Cruz. Construction on this segment of the rail trail started in July 2022.

“There were several storm events, and the amount of water the site received was considerable and prevented the contractor from working on the site,” Valdes said. He said that workers “encountered several existing utilities in conflict with the project, so additional work to design and relocate these utilities was added.”

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The work is part of a 32-mile Coastal Rail Trail from Davenport to Watsonville. There are 20 segments, and many parts still require environmental and design work before construction can begin.

The next phase of rail-trail construction is expected to start in early spring from Davenport to Wilder Ranch State Park on the North Coast, said Shannon Munz, a spokesperson for the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission. Transportation commission representatives recently provided updates on that segment and several others.

A map shows the development status of rail-trail segments. Areas “under development” in pink require funding toward construction, authorities said Friday. (Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission)

Jump to a section:

Natural Bridges Drive to Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz (Segment 7)

A map of Segment 7 of the rail trail.

Construction of a paved rail trail behind Neary Lagoon, in red, is expected to finish in February 2024. (City of Santa Cruz)

A first phase of Segment 7 of the rail trail from Natural Bridges Drive to Bay Street opened in December 2020. 

“The completed sections are certainly popular, but more than that, they serve as a proof of concept,” said Matt Farrell, board chair of Friends of the Rail & Trail. “They show how important it is to provide a wide, safe corridor for travel away from busy streets, while still preserving the rail line for future use,” Farrell said.

Rendering of Segment 7 of the rail trail at California and Bay.

Rail-trail plans call for paved paths near Bay and California streets in Santa Cruz. (City of Santa Cruz rendering)

A paved path and retaining wall are under construction in November between the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility and Bay Street in Santa Cruz. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local)

segment 7 phase 2 Coastal rail trail city of santa cruz july 2022 retaining walls

Retaining walls are expected to be built along a path near Neary Lagoon Park and the Santa Cruz Wastewater Treatment Facility in Santa Cruz. (RRM Design Group rendering)

Davenport to Wilder Ranch State Park (Segment 5)

Construction of a 7.5-mile paved path from Davenport to Wilder Ranch State Park is expected to start in 2024 and be completed in three phases, according to transportation commission documents. 

Project plans include a new parking lot near Highway 1 and Ocean Street in Davenport. A second new parking lot to access the rail trail near Panther and Yellowbank beaches also is planned, according to transportation commission documents.

A paved parking lot is expected near Highway 1 and Ocean Street in Davenport as part of the rail-trail project. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local)

A paved parking lot is planned near Panther and Yellowbank beaches on the North Coast as part of the rail-trail project. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local) 

Near Highway 1 and Bonny Doon Road, a trail between the parking lot and railroad tracks is slated for improvement. 

Separately, a Highway 1 footbridge is planned to connect the rail trail with Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument. Environmental review and design are required before anticipated construction in 2027, transportation commission leaders said.

A trail from a parking lot at Highway 1 and Bonny Doon Road to the railroad tracks is expected to be improved as part of the rail-trail project. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local)

A footbridge over Highway 1 is proposed to connect the rail trail to Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local) 

Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz to 17th Avenue in Live Oak (Segments 8 and 9)

Environmental review and final designs are expected to finish in 2024 for 2.2 miles of rail trail from Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz to 17th Avenue in Live Oak. 

Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

17th Avenue in Live Oak to State Park Drive in Seacliff (Segment 10 and 11)

Environmental review and final designs are expected to finish in 2024 for 4.7 miles of rail trail from 17th Avenue in Live Oak to State Park Drive in Seacliff. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

Rail trail map segments 8 to 12

Segments 8 to 12 of the Coastal Rail Trail run from Santa Cruz through Live Oak and Capitola to Aptos. (Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission)

Comments on a draft Environmental Impact Report for Segments 10 and 11 will be accepted until 5 p.m. Dec. 15, 2023. 

State Park Drive in Seacliff to Rio Del Mar Boulevard (Segment 12)

Environmental review and designs for 1.25 miles of rail trail are expected to finish this year. Depending on funding availability, construction could begin in 2025, according to the transportation commission.

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Tyler Maldonado

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Tyler Maldonado holds a degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley. He writes about housing, homelessness and the environment. He lives in Santa Cruz County.