10/2/25 SCCRTC Part 4 - Caltrans Report

OverviewCaltrans announced the 2026-27 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program is open for applications, with $17.5M available for sustainable communities planning, $1.5M for strategic partnership planning, and $3M for transit partnerships.Multiple emergency and planned infrastructure projects are underway, including drainage repairs, retaining wall replacements, and erosion control, with key completion dates in December 2025 and Spring 2026.Ongoing efforts to improve temporary traffic signals and minimize disruption for travelers and cyclists.RTC is preparing grant applications for corridor planning and resiliency studies, including updates to the Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan and potential bus-on-shoulder studies.Caltrans Grant Program Announcement and DetailsCaltrans 2026-27 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program applications open; due September 21.Total funding: $17.5M for Sustainable Communities, $1.5M for Strategic Partnership Planning, $3M for Strategic Partnerships in Transit.Project Updates: Emergency Repairs and Traffic ManagementDrainage repair and retaining wall emergency project underway between Prospect and Lorenzo, south of Boulder Creek.Temporary signal initially caused delays due to fixed timing and extra cyclist time; reprogrammed with traffic sensor and push button for cyclists.Construction completion anticipated December 2024.Drainage and erosion control project on Highway 9 at 17 locations between Bin Le Mans and near 935 intersection.Second temporary signal for Highway 9 project planned for spring 2026; signals will not operate simultaneously.Commissioner Q&A: Ramp Closures and Design IssuesBay Porter off-ramp closure dates unavailable; follow-up pending.Paper Avenue ramps have a design issue under review with Caltrans.Unidentified elements in design plans caused a pause and redesign consideration.Ramp closure delayed to avoid unnecessary closure without a solution.RTC Grant Applications and Corridor Planning DiscussionRTC plans to submit a Caltrans Sustainable Planning Grant application to update the Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan.Plan update covers Soquel Drive/Freedom Boulevard, Highway 1, and Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.Bus-on-shoulder extensions and other improvements may be included in the plan update.RTC previously awarded $128.7 million from the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program in June.Additional planning grants under consideration include studies on branch line resiliency at more locations.Public Engagement, Town Hall, and Closing RemarksPublic town hall on state of roads scheduled for November 13th, 6 p.m., focusing on District 5, Santa Cruz County, San Lorenzo Valley, Highway 9.Commissioner Keaton requested a briefing on PRT and offered to help coordinate a meeting with Carl Gardena from CTC regarding ongoing issues.These podcasts were taken from Community TV's original video. It is available here:https://communitytv.org/watch/government-demand/