The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has a new freight rail operator for the Watsonville Branch Line.
Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad begin operations Aug. 12.
The RTC approved a 10-year agreement with the Mississippi-based railroad, known as CRI&P, to provide freight service on approximately 2.5 miles of active track between the Pajaro/Watsonville Junction and Lee Road in Watsonville.
“Freight rail continues to play an important role in our transportation system and in supporting local businesses and interstate commerce,” RTC Chair Eduardo Montesino said. “We want to welcome Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad to Santa Cruz County and look forward to building a strong partnership focused on reliable service, infrastructure improvements and opportunities to expand freight rail in Watsonville.”
CRI&P replaces Progressive Rail as the freight operator on the line. The RTC voted earlier this year to terminate its agreement with Progressive Rail as the agency works toward advancing construction of the Coastal Rail Trail while preserving freight service in the Watsonville area.
Headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, CRI&P is a privately owned company specializing in short-line railroads. The company has operated several railroads around the country, including the Mississippi Delta Railroad, Great River Railroad, Gulf & Ship Island Seaway Rail and Midland Railway.
Under the agreement, CRI&P will provide locomotives, switch engines, crews and track maintenance equipment. The company also has an inventory of rail, ballast, ties and other materials that could be used to rehabilitate the Watsonville tracks.
Infrastructure improvements are needed along the line to maintain freight operations and potentially expand service in the future, according to the RTC.
“We are excited to partner with the RTC and the Watsonville community,” CRI&P General Manager Reid Dawe said. “Our goal is to provide dependable freight service while working collaboratively to identify opportunities to improve the railroad and support the businesses that rely on it.”
The railroad will also work with the RTC to seek state and federal funding for infrastructure improvements.
The Watsonville section is the remaining active freight portion of the 32-mile Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, which the RTC purchased in 2012. The publicly owned corridor stretches from Watsonville to Davenport and is envisioned for multiple uses, including freight, a future passenger rail system and a multi-use trail.
“Maintaining freight rail service is an important part of protecting the public’s investment in our rail corridor and supporting multimodal transportation options for Santa Cruz County,” Christensen said. “We are looking forward to working with CRI&P to provide reliable service today while exploring opportunities to strengthen freight rail for the future.”
