Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic
Trail Network
Have you been waiting for the “rail trail” or “coastal trail” project? Planning for a new multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail network is now underway.
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is currently planning for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network (Trail Network). This project merges plans for a bicycle/pedestrian trail along the rail line – including coastal alignments and neighborhood spurs – into a connected network that will overlap and converge to provide safe and convenient route choices. The trail will serve transportation, recreation and interpretive uses for walkers, joggers, bicyclists, families, locals, and visitors. Read the Fact Sheet for more project information.
Activities Completed To Date
As part of the constraints and opportunities analysis, RTC staff and the consultant team (RRM Design Group) conducted a three day field tour earlier this summer which was later followed by stakeholder meetings with over 50 agencies, business, visitor-service and community representatives.
A series of three public workshops, attended by over 200 engaged members of the public, were held in December 2011. Maps of preliminarily identified routes were provided for review and feedback.
Project Scope
The broad vision is for a Trail Network project that will span the coast of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary from the San Mateo/Santa Cruz County line to Pacific Grove, in Monterey County. The RTC is leading the planning effort for project development in Santa Cruz County and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) is responsible for Monterey County projects. This approach will ensure that the planned bicycle/pedestrian network will provide connectivity throughout the county and into the Monterey Bay region, as well as tie in the larger California Coastal Trail and Pacific Coast Bicycle Trails. The final product will be a Master Plan and environmental review document containing a prioritized list of short and long range trail projects that can be constructed by various entities as funding becomes available.
Funding
Approximately $7 million of local and federal funds have already been secured for construction of initial segments. Congressman Sam Farr is the project’s most passionate champion and has secured millions of federal dollars for construction of this two-county path. The RTC also committed locally controlled funding to bring this project to fruition.
RTC Contact
Cory Caletti
Senior Transportation Planner
460-3200