Santa Cruz County Rail Project Could Cost $200 Million Per Mile
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Projections for a 22-mile passenger rail line through Santa Cruz County in California has placed the cost of construction at $4.3 billion, almost $200 million per mile.
The rail plans, detailed in a draft executive summary released on June 6, propose converting a dormant freight corridor into an electric commuter rail system.
Newsweek contacted the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission for more information via email.
Why It Matters
The 22-mile Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail (ZEPRT) route would require the full electrification of the existing rail corridor, replacement of 21 bridges, and construction of 15 stations and two train storage and maintenance facilities. The project also calls for upgrades to rail crossings and integration with existing transit networks.
Images of a rail that could be used for the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail (ZEPRT) Project.
Images of a rail that could be used for the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail (ZEPRT) Project.
RTC
What To Know
The draft report said that construction of the rail route would cost $1.96 billion, while vehicle work, professional services and other improvements would cost another $1.04 billion. The budgeting also factored in $1.28 billion for contingency spending, bringing the predicted cost to about $4.28 billion.
That means the proposal, which is being considered by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, could cost $194.5 million per mile of track.
The ZEPRT is designed to provide service every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak times. The report projects annual ridership of 1.4 million by 2045, translating to about 5,300 daily boardings.
The infrastructure would be built entirely within a 32-foot-wide existing right-of-way and aims to maintain the adjacent multi-use path for cyclists and pedestrians. However, challenges remain.
Parts of the route traverse unstable terrain and flood zones, requiring complex engineering solutions that have contributed to the soaring cost projections.
The electric rail would run from Pajaro Junction near Watsonville in the south to the western edge of Santa Cruz County, terminating near the UC Santa Cruz campus area.
Transfers to regional services, including Caltrain and future high-speed rail connections, are part of the long-term integration plan.
What People Are Saying
The Regional Transportation Commission, in the June 6 draft report: "The RTC thanks the Santa Cruz County community for its continued engagement
and thoughtful feedback throughout the development of the Project Concept phase.
"Residents, community groups, and local businesses of Santa Cruz County who participated in and provided feedback through the Project's many workshops, open houses, public meetings, and stakeholder briefings helped shape a Project Concept that reflects local community values, transportation needs, and a regional vision which supports a more connected and sustainable future."
Jack Brown, executive director of Santa Cruz's Coastal Trail Conservancy, told SFGate: "The estimate still feels low. They've been trying to push back against a $5 billion price tag, but not convincingly. We need a practical, sustainable approach to addressing transit, congestion and housing. One that doesn't bankrupt future generations."
What Happens Next
The Santa Cruz County RTC is continuing to develop the environmental review and design phases of the project, which could take several years. A final funding plan is expected to be presented in 2026, with construction unlikely to begin before 2028.
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