In Monterey, Monterey-Salinas Transit is proposing to build a busway between Marina and Seaside on an abandoned rail corridor adjacent to Highway 1 to support faster bus service between Salinas and Downtown Monterey. The project was awarded federal Small Starts funds, and construction is planned to start at the end of this year. Initially, the California Coastal Commission staff recommended denying the project. However, after a postponement requested by MST, CCC and MST reached an agreement to secure a recommendation for approval by the CCC next week.

The main concern for the CCC staff is the busway’s impact on sand dunes within the right of way. The project initially proposed building a two-lane busway next to the track but within the rail right of way. As part of the agreement, one lane would be shifted to replace the track to reduce the footprint. Although far more trackage would be removed compared to the initial plan, less grading and fewer retaining walls would likely be required.