Good to see some common sense being printed about this contentious project.

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2004/February/15/edit/stories/04edit.htm
ryarger@rypn.org

Just this weekend I was touring the Smithonisn's America on the Move exhibit with the mebers of the National Capital Trolley Museum. The very first diorama in the exhibit deals with the coming of the train to Santa Cruz, and the building of the rail link from Santa Cruz to Watsonville. That part of the exhibit talks about transportation linking rural towns into part of a larger national market.

It's fascinating to see the dilemmas of transportation policy playing out to this day on the exact same corridors around Santa Cruz. A microcosm of national issues from 1870, and still a microcosm in 2004.

eledbetter@rypn.org

> Good to see some common sense being printed
> about this contentious project.

With the state's budget woes, the govenator has recently slashed funding for future highway projects including the upgrading of at-capacity Hwy 1, which is nearly parallel to the railroad right-of-way. Additionally, the once non-business-loving Santa Cruz city council affirmed last week a much debated expansion of the Beach Boardwalk to support additional tax revenues.

Surprising how an once proud enviro-focused community can quickly change tune when its inflow of someone else's money is threatened.

Some forward movement, apparently.

Rail freight AND passenger service AND linear park/recreational trail.

Could this really be a win, win, win situation?

Panel gives trolley plan green light
jgerlach@trainsofthought.com