Salinas Rail Extension Kick Start Project Final Design:

1. APPROVE the scope of work for the Salinas Rail Extension Kick Start Project Final Design Request for Proposals, subject to counsel approval;
2. AUTHORIZE staff to publish the Request for Proposals and return to the Board of Directors with a recommendation for approval of a consultant, including the final scope of work; and
3. APPROVE the use of Traffic Congestion Relief Program funds for this contract in an amount not to exceed $1,200,000.

This Request for Proposals is for the preparation of final design Plans, Specifications & Estimates of a new layover facility in Salinas, track improvements to the Union-Pacific-owned Coast Main Line track between Gilroy and Salinas, and track access improvements at the Gilroy station in Santa Clara County. This work includes design support during construction.

Based on an independent cost estimate of the scope of work, the project budget is estimated at $1,200,000. The project will be funded through an allocation of state Traffic Congestion Relief Program funds.

TAMC has been planning the extension of rail service to Monterey County (the “Monterey County Rail Extension Project”) for over two decades. In that time, TAMC has completed a state-required Project Study Report and certified an Environmental Impact Report to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act. Using state funding, TAMC has performed the planning, due diligence environmental review, and design for the project.

Package 1, access and circulation improvements at the Salinas train station, is anticipated to finish construction in the fall of 2020. Package 2, a train layover facility in Salinas and Package 3, track improvements at the Gilroy station and between Gilroy and Salinas, are at the 75% design stage. The current contract for design has been closed out at the current design level for Packages 2 and 3 prior to the publication of this Request for Proposals to avoid any conflicts. Final design and design support during construction are anticipated to take approximately three years to complete, starting in Spring 2020 and being completed by June 30, 2023.  Attached is a draft scope of work.

An advance notice of intent to publish will be sent out on November 20. The rest of the solicitation schedule is as follows: