Hi everyone — Patrice Boyle here, owner of La Posta and organizer of this petition.
We’ve just received a formal update from the City of Santa Cruz about the Murray Street rail bridge. Here’s the situation:
- The City and RTC are delaying action until November. The RTC won’t consider a revised plan until Nov. 6, and the City Council won’t take it up until Nov. 18.
- In the meantime, Progressive Rail has not responded at all to the City or RTC.
- Roaring Camp, which actually runs the small freight operation in Watsonville, continues to side with Progressive in blocking public use.
This means that local businesses, already down 25–40%, are being told to hold on for at least two more months while out-of-state and local rail operators drag their feet. That is unacceptable.
The rail bridge belongs to the public. The rail operators don’t depend on it for business north of Watsonville, yet they are holding our community hostage in a moment of real crisis.
Here’s what you can do today:
- Email the decision-makers now. Tell them businesses cannot wait until November. Demand immediate action to open the rail bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Santa Cruz City Council: citycouncil@cityofsantacruz.com
• RTC Commissioners & Staff: info@sccrtc.org
• Roaring Camp Railroads: info@roaringcamp.com
• Progressive Rail: info@progressiverail.com - Keep spreading the word: Sign & Share the Petition. We’re over 2,000 signatures strong, but every name helps build pressure.
This is an emergency. Time is of the essence. The perfect plan can come later — right now, something safe and functional must be done to keep our businesses and neighborhoods alive.
With determination,
Patrice Boyle
Owner, La Posta
Organizer, Murray Street Rail Bridge Petition