SANTA CRUZ >> The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has received a major funding infusion from federal authorities that will power significant progress on its ongoing and much-anticipated Coastal Rail Trail project.

The commission, in coordination with partners at the county and city of Santa Cruz, was awarded $19.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program, also known as “RAISE.” The grant, the commission announced in a release this week, will be enough to fund eight miles of the multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail project within Segments 8 through 12 that stretch from Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz to Rio Del Mar Boulevard in Aptos.

“Today, we take an important step forward with this $19.5 million federal RAISE grant award to advance 8 miles of the Coastal Rail Trail,” Eduardo Montesino, the commission’s chair, said in a release. “This funding will improve access to sustainable transportation and the coast, supporting economic growth and a better quality of life for both residents and visitors. We appreciate the support from our federal partners in making this project possible.”

The portion of the Coastal Rail Trail running 32 miles through Santa Cruz County is often referred to as the “spine” of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network, a 50-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail system that extends from Monterey to San Mateo counties.

The commission cites that among the benefits of the project in Santa Cruz County, commonly referred to as the “rail trail,” include safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, expanded access to coastal resources, increased connectivity to employment, recreation, housing opportunities and reduction in vehicle miles traveled that will cut down greenhouse gas emissions.

Segments 8 and 9 of the project will be delivered by the city of Santa Cruz, while the county will take the lead for 10 and 11. The commission itself, which owns the Santa Cruz Branch Rail corridor where most of the trail will be built, will complete Segment 12. According to the commission’s release, all five segments that will benefit from the grant are in the final phases of design and right-of-way planning. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.

The federal program was established to provide grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact, per the release. So far, it has awarded more than $15 billion across 16 funding rounds to local governments, tribes, transit and port authorities, states and other entities.