"At the end of the day, we're on the hook for the cost increase," explained Mitch Weiss, interim executive director of the commission. "We're not in a strong negotiating position."
According to the report, the county has $401 million in outstanding roadway deferred maintenance, also known as an "unfunded backlog." On top of that, its system of approximately 6,000 culverts, which help facilitate the flow of water to prevent slipouts and mudslides, needs an additional $400 million.
Amidst the rising popularity of electric bicycles nationwide and the recent rollout of an e-bike share program across Santa Cruz County, a local transit-oriented coalition highlighted growing public safety concerns.
Construction on the Highway 1 Corridor Project is continuing this weekend, which will cause full overnight closures between the 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive interchanges.
Transportation planners have scheduled a series of upcoming Highway 1 closures in Santa Cruz County to permit crews to continue progress on a major highway project.