RECEIVE update on the Monterey Bay Area Rail Network Integration Study.

The study will lay the groundwork for implementing the State Rail Plan in the Monterey Bay Area.  Progress on the study since the last report to this Committee on August 5 includes completion of a Project Work Plan and Stakeholder Engagement Plan.

The study has a budget of $500,000, funded out of the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program: $350,000 for consultant costs and $150,000 for staff and in-house costs.

The study will lay the groundwork for implementing the State Rail Plan in the Monterey Bay Area by determining the optimal options for: rail connectivity and operations, equipment needs, governance, and community benefits for service between Monterey County and Santa Clara County, Monterey and Santa Cruz, and the Coast Rail Corridor. This study will also assist TAMC by providing the data needed to prepare grant applications for funding new stations at Pajaro/Watsonville, Castroville, Soledad and King City.

In September, the study consultant, AECOM, finalized the Project Work Plan, which presents the project management and quality management process AECOM will use to complete the study and describes the organizational structure they will utilize.

AECOM has also submitted a final draft of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (attached), which will help guide outreach activities.

The team is currently developing an Existing Conditions Analysis and a Grant Strategy Memo and working to schedule the first meeting of the Network Advisory Committee.

The anticipated schedule for future Committee briefings or action on the study is as follows: