Structure Demolition
The demolition of structures at the Salinas train station has been delayed by the need for PG&E to disconnect gas and electric service to the structures and remove meters and transformers prior to demolition work. Those disconnects and removals are complete as of October 19.
Bowen Engineering, the demolition contractor, originally submitted a Water Pollution Control Program (WPCP) to the State Water Board in August in application for an erosivity waiver. However, the State Water Board directed Bowen that as the demolition project (0.6 acres) was part of a larger project (8 acres), that the project sponsor was required to submit a full Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) in application for a Construction General Permit. TAMC submitted a SWPPP to the State Water Board on October 16. This Plan governs how stormwater pollution is prevented during the construction phase of the project.
The demolition team is expected to mobilize on October 22 to complete abatement of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-containing paint, and universal waste (e.g., fluorescent lights and mercury thermostats). Structure demolition is expected to begin on October 24 and be completed by the first week of December.
City of Salinas
TAMC and City staff met on September 13 and October 15 to discuss demolition of structures, utility relocation, and permits needed to proceed with construction of Package 1: the extension of Lincoln Avenue across Market Street (State Route 183) to provide signalized access, parking and circulation improvements. TAMC submitted to the City a revised Stormwater Control Plan, which governs how the project takes stormwater runoff into consideration with design elements such as bioswales. TAMC is also recommending a reimbursement agreement to the TAMC Board on December 5, so that the City's storm drain and sanitary sewer project would include elements within Caltrans right-of-way that otherwise would have been connections from the project to the City's relocated storm drain pipes. The rail project final plans still include minor relocations of PG&E gas and electric lines, pending resolution of the City's goal of relocating PG&E into Lincoln Avenue.
Caltrans
TAMC resubmitted the encroachment permit application to Caltrans on October 9. The new permit is revised to delete elements from the previous application that led Caltrans to reject it. Instead, the new permit (and thus the project) includes only the following elements within the Caltrans-owned State Route 183 right-of-way:
- Remove sidewalk and curb for construction of the north extension of Lincoln Avenue,
- Relocate water mains,
- Remove center median on eastbound Market Street and replace with left-hand turn lane,
- Modify the existing traffic signal at Lincoln Avenue as a four-way intersection, including adding pedestrian push buttons,
- Construct sidewalk, curb, and accessible ramp improvements at Lincoln Avenue, Station Place, and at the entry to the parking lot,
- Construct the north extension of Lincoln Avenue,
- Stripe for northbound through lane on Lincoln Avenue, and
- Install striping, including crosswalks, and signage.
Caltrain
TAMC staff attended the Caltrain Joint Powers Board meeting on October 4, when the Board received a special presentation on the Caltrain Business Plan and discussed establishing a new fare policy. On slide 22 (of 51) slides for the Business Plan presentation, "Monterey County Rail Service" is listed under "Building Blocks for a 2040 Service Vision", "Connecting Services", "Explorations". The agendas and presentations for these meetings are available online as a web attachment. Staff also participated in the Caltrain Business Plan Stakeholder Advisory Group meeting on October 23.
Staff will provide a verbal update on all activities at the meeting.