Transportation

In this week's round-up: 350 artists are participating in open studios this year, a Week Without Driving is underway, the Murray Street Bridge reopens to eastbound travelers, and more.

Cruzin’ Together Santa Cruz County organizes a Week Without Driving which runs through Oct. 8. And, Jose Garcia is appointed interim Santa Cruz police chief.

The heavily trafficked Murray Street Bridge stretching across the Santa Cruz Harbor reopened to eastbound travelers on Monday. And, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed off on four new laws to increase criminal penalties for repeat drunk drivers.

The Salinas community development department has presented its annual performance report to the city council. And, an independent inspector is calling for California’s high-speed rail project to improve oversight of consultants.

Firefighters are making progress on the Timber Fire, but Big Sur will need ongoing support. And, lawmakers want to protect climate programs but cap and invest auctions are bringing in less revenue.

The week-old Timber fire in Big Sur has exceeded 5,000 acres, and is 17% contained. Waymo has announced its robotaxis are coming to Sacramento and San Diego.

As more people take to local roads and coastal trails on electric bicycles, transportation planners are trying to sort out a problem that can be difficult to see: not everything being called an e-bike is actually a legal e-bike.

California is preparing to return 136 acres of land in Mendocino County to three of the region’s native tribes. And, a historic railroad bridge is complicating efforts to build a long-planned bike and pedestrian trail east of downtown San José.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is currently removing all county emergency call boxes. And, a state senator wants to protect Altadena from real estate speculators while residents rebuild, but her bill also raises concerns.

A new train service could connect San Luis Obispo to the San Francisco Bay Area, in time for the LA Olympics. And, the Sea Otter classic continues this weekend.