Measure D Logo

Quicklinks

In November 2016, over 2/3 of Santa Cruz County voters approved Measure D – a comprehensive and inclusive package of transportation improvements. The ½-cent, 30-year sales tax provides a steady, direct source of local funding for:

  • Providing safer routes to schools for local students
  • Maintaining mobility and independence for seniors and those with disabilities
  • Investing in bicycle and pedestrian pathways and bridges
  • Repaving roadways, repair potholes, and improve safety on local streets
  • Improving traffic flow on highways and major roadways
  • Investing in projects that reduce the pollution that causes global warming

The state began collecting the new ½-cent sales tax for local transportation improvements in April 2017 and the first disbursements to local agencies started in summer 2017. Funds are distributed monthly to recipient agencies. Updates on revenues are included no less than quarterly in the RTC board agenda packet (typically on the consent agenda).

MEASURE D FACT SHEET

FUNDING & PLANNING

RTC Contact

Tommy Travers
Transportation Planner
info@sccrtc.org
(831) 460-3200

Recent Activities

At its November 6, 2025 meeting, the RTC held a public hearing and approved new 5-year plans for regional projects. This followed input from the advisory committees at their October meetings.The Taxpayer Oversight Committee held two meetings in Spring 2025 to review the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 expenditures and audits of the RTC and the direct recipient agencies and to prepare their Annual Report. The FY2023/24 Annual Report is now available in the Audits and Reports section.

Regional Projects

The Measure D Expenditure Plan identifies general categories of projects to receive certain percentages of tax revenues over a 30-year time frame. All agencies designated to receive Measure D funds (including the Regional Transportation Commission) annually develop, update and adopt a 5-year project-delivery plan for investing these transportation revenues.The Measure D 5-Year Plans for Regional Projects show how the RTC anticipates distributing voter-approved Measure D revenues over the next 5 years. See the Regional Projects page for more information and the 5-year plans.

  • Highway Corridor
  • Coastal Trail
  • Rail Corridor
  • Highway 9 Corridor
  • Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing
The Measure D Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) serves as the guiding policy and programming document for the implementation of Regional Measure D projects. The SIP is expected to be updated at least every 4-5 years.

Direct Funding Recipients

About half (50%) of Measure D funds are allocated by formula to cities, the County of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz METRO, and Community Bridges Lift Line to address transportation needs on local roads and for seniors and people with disabilities.These agencies update their 5-Year Plans showing how they plan to spend their shares of Measure D funds every Spring. Check out meeting agendas (typically May or June) to provide input.

MEASURE D FAQ

What is Measure D?
  • Measure D is a ½-cent sales tax for Santa Cruz County to fund transportation needs over a 30-year period.
  • Measure D was approved by nearly 7 out of 10 Santa Cruz County voters in November 2016.
What’s included in Measure D?

5 categories of projects: streets/bicycle/pedestrian; highway corridors; transit/paratransit; Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail; and Rail Corridor, and Expenditure Plan

What opportunities are there for the public to weigh in on Measure D projects?
  • Annual public hearings are required by each entity receiving Measure D funds to determine priority projects for the next five years.
What Highway 1 corridor projects are included in Measure D?
  • Measure D is providing funding for a portion of project costs, with Measure D being used to leverage other funds and grants.
  • Auxiliary Lanes (also known as “merge lanes”) between interchanges from Santa Cruz to Aptos
    • Soquel Dr. To 41st
    • Bay Porter St. to Park Ave.
    • Park Ave. to State Park Dr.
    • State Park Dr. to Rio Del Mar Blvd.
    • Rio Del Mar Blvd. to Freedom Blvd.
  • Two bicycle/pedestrian overcrossings
    • Mar Vista Dr.
    • Chanticleer Ave.
  • Rideshare and Traveler Information, and Freeway Service Patrol tow trucks helping disabled vehicles and removing debris from Highway 1 and Highway 17
How is the Rail Corridor supported by Measure D?
  • The measure includes funds to build and maintain the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (Coastal Rail Trail), a bicycle and pedestrian trail extending the length of the county within the railroad property.
  • The measure also includes funds to maintain the corridor and infrastructure.
  • Voters also approved an analysis of future uses of the rail corridor through an open, transparent public process and to base decisions on publicly-vetted data. The Unified Corridors Investment Study – a performance evaluation of projects in the rail, highway and Soquel routes – and Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis provide data for the public and decision-makers.
Why aren’t state and federal funding sources sufficient to meet our needs?
  • The state and federal per gallon gasoline tax has been flat for over 20 years and is not adjusted for inflation. The state tax has just recently (2017) been raised and indexed to inflation, but Santa Cruz County’s shares of funds are insufficient to fund all the transportation needs.
  • Both state and federal gas taxes lost 50% of their buying power over 20 years due to inflation.
  • Vehicles are getting more efficient, which is a good thing. But it also means drivers create more wear and tear while paying less for road maintenance.
  • During lean years the state borrowed transportation funds to balance the state budget.
What’s the benefit of having local transportation funds?
  • Local funding provides more local flexibility to address local priorities.
  • Local funding can be used as a match to secure state and federal grant funds.
  • Accountability: local money under local control.
  • Local funding cannot be taken away by the state or federal governments.

Subscribe to our Mailing List

Latest news and up-to-date info delivered to your inbox

SIGN UP

Report a Hazard

Notify us of obstacles or hazards that may inhibit travel.

REPORT HAZARD rtc logo white 1101 Pacific Ave. Suite 250
Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 460-3200
info@sccrtc.org
Scroll to Top