VCTC Santa Paula Branch Line Trail Master Plan Update

Project Introduction

Welcome to the website for Ventura County Transportation Commission’s (VCTC) Santa Paula Branch Line (SPBL) Trail Master Plan Update project. Here you can find information about the project, resources and materials from the project's outreach and engagement efforts, and project updates.

Overview

The Santa Paula Branch Line consists of 32 miles of railroad right-of-way with 29 miles of serviceable track stretching from East Ventura/Montalvo within the City of Ventura to the unincorporated community of Piru within the Santa Clara River Valley (also known as Heritage Valley).

The SPBL Trail presents a “rails with trails” opportunity to connect communities within the Santa Clara River Valley. Advancing the vision for a recreational transportation corridor with walking and biking uses, the trail would provide a sustainable solution balancing accessibility and rail operations.

The project includes planning for 27 miles of improvements:

• Over 20 miles of new bicycle and pedestrian trail along the Santa Paula Branch Line from Saticoy to Piru
• Improvements to existing bicycle and pedestrian trail in the cities of Santa Paula and Fillmore and the community of Piru
• Pedestrian and bicycle connections to transit, housing, education, recreation and job centers
• New, safer pedestrian and cycling crosswalks

History

In 1995, VCTC acquired the SPBL for use as a multimodal corridor with the intent to build a trail for active transportation and recreation, and, in 2000, adopted a Master Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the SPBL Recreational Multi-Use Trail.

While the original SPBL Recreational Trail Master Plan adopted in 2000 covers the full railroad corridor from the East Ventura/Montalvo Metrolink Station to the area east of the unincorporated community of Piru, the focus of this project will be from Saticoy Depot through Piru.

This Project:

VCTC SPBL Trail Master Plan Update and EIR/EIS

• 27 miles of trail planning from Saticoy through Piru, including Santa Paula, Fillmore and Ventura County
• Conceptual planning and design with a focus on updating the Master Plan and delivering a new Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS)
• New EIR/EIS structured to update existing conditions, phasing plans and cost estimates, with a focus on equitable transportation investments in the Santa Clara River Valley, improving active transportation and connections to housing, transit and job centers, and reducing vehicle miles and greenhouse gas emissions

Other Projects Happening Along the Railroad Right-of-Way Include:

City of Ventura SPBL Trail Project “Rails with Trails”

• 4-mile trail connecting Montalvo Metrolink Station with Saticoy Depot
• Currently in design, funding secured for construction

City of Santa Paula SPBL Trail Extension “Santa Paula Trail Connectivity Project”

• 2.5-mile extension of existing trail
• Currently in design, seeking construction funds

A Note on Agricultural Resource Protection

The Santa Paula Branch Line travels through a predominantly agricultural area, particularly in the unincorporated areas between the corridor cities. Protection of agricultural resources has always been, and remains to this day, integral to SPBL Trail planning and design. More on this in our FAQ section (see FAQ 11).

Public Outreach and Engagement

The public outreach team will be hosting public community workshops and pop-ups at community events over the course of 18 months between June 2025-December 2026. For information, visit this website regularly for updates.

Upcoming Opportunities

June 2025
Community Workshop #1
Tuesday, June 24, 5-7 p.m. at Fillmore Public Library (502 2nd St, Fillmore, CA 93015)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is the project located?
   The SPBL consists of 32 miles of railroad right-of-way with 29 miles of serviceable track stretching from East Ventura/Montalvo within the City of Ventura to the unincorporated community of Piru within the Santa Clara River Valley. The focus of this project will be on planning for improvements along the 27 miles from Saticoy Depot through Piru.
2. Why is it called the Santa Paula Branch Line?
   The Santa Paula Branch Line refers to the 32-mile railroad line that reaches from Piru to Montalvo owned by the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC). In the 1990s, VCTC created a master plan to add trails alongside all 32 miles of the rail line. Several trail segments have already been built including sections in Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru.
3. How will the trail safely run alongside the rail line?
   VCTC has hired specialty planners and engineers to plan the trail with various regulatory agencies that will comply with stringent policies for public safety. Trail design will include safety barriers such as fencing, signage and ample spacing to protect trail users from the operational rail line. Alternative routings may be considered where constraints are present along the SPBL right-of-way.
4. Is this an operating rail line?
   Yes, this is an active rail line operated by Sierra Northern Railway. Although the rail line has relatively low use, it is permitted to be used for freight, film and television production, and tourist and excursion service as part of a 35-year lease made in 2021 between Sierra Northern Railway and the owner, VCTC. Sierra Northern operates and maintains the railroad tracks and right-of-way and provides freight and film service. Tourist and excursion service are provided through the cooperation of sister company Mendocino Railway. The initial Agreement is for a 35-year term with two 30-year extension options. To learn more, go to the Santa Paula Branch Line website.
5. How is this project being funded?
   This Project is funded primarily through Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds. The federal STBG program funds projects to preserve and improve the conditions and performance of highways, bridges, public roads, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects. Project funding is also provided by a grant from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) County Transportation Commissions Partnership Program.
6. How can I give input on this project?
   We will have several upcoming opportunities to attend public meetings in-person or online, fill out online surveys and provide general project input. Please visit the Public Outreach and Engagement section for more information as these opportunities are solidified.
7. What is the project timeline?

   This project is comprised of several phases over the course of the next 18 months and is tentatively laid out as follows:

   

8. When will the project be constructed?
   Funding for construction will be sought based on the phasing and implementation plan being developed as part of the Master Plan. VCTC will work collaboratively with the cities and County along the corridor to implement the trail as funding becomes available.
9. What are the benefits to the community?

   This project will significantly improve safety and mobility for people walking, biking and using other non-motorized forms of transportation. By reducing vehicle miles traveled, the project supports greenhouse gas reduction goals, improves public health and advances regional efforts toward sustainability.

   The trail will help ensure all residents — regardless of age, ability or income — have safe, accessible routes to essential destinations like schools, workplaces, grocery stores, parks and health care facilities.

   The trail will also connect to existing bicycle networks, bus transit, Safe Routes to School projects, the Montalvo Metrolink Station, and future biking and walking improvements outlined in the Ventura County Active Transportation Plan and other city, county and regional plans.

   The project also includes economic benefits associated with commute and recreational trips, as well as increased property values.

10. Will electric bikes be allowed on the trail?
    Yes, it is anticipated that e-bikes will be allowed on the trail. We understand that faster-moving e-bikes can raise safety concerns, and we’re actively engaging the community to find thoughtful solutions that balance access and safety for everyone.
11. Will this impact agricultural resources?
    Protection of agricultural resources has always been, and remains to this day, integral to SPBL Trail planning and design. Specific and intentional steps will be taken as part of this project to analyze and mitigate potential impacts to agriculture, including targeted engagement with stakeholders through advisory groups, one-on-one meetings and several opportunities for community input. To learn more about previous trail compatibility work conducted in this corridor, please refer to the Santa Paula Branch Line Trail Compatibility Survey (2015), which will be taken into account during this Master Plan update.

Document Library

Current Presentations and Documents

Additional Resources

• Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Rails with Trails (Federal Railroad Administration, 2021)
• Ventura County Bicycle Wayfinding Plan (2017)
• Santa Paula Branch Line Trail Compatibility Survey (2015)
• Santa Paula Branch Line Recreational Trail Master Plan and Environmental Impact Report (2000)
• Santa Paula Branch Line Master Plan (1996)

Stay Connected

Please share any input, concerns or feedback with us by emailing spbl.trail@goventura.org. Thank you.