The Monterey County Rail Extension Project extends passenger rail service from Santa Clara County south to Salinas. TAMC is pursuing a phased implementation of the Project. Phase 1, known as the Kick Start Project, includes Salinas train station circulation improvements, a train layover facility in Salinas, and track improvements at the Gilroy station and between Salinas and Gilroy. The Kick Start Project is proceeding with construction of Package 1, improvements at the Salinas train station. The layover facility (Package 2) and track improvements (Package 3) are ready for final design, pending comments from Union Pacific Railroad.
Package 1: Salinas Station Improvements
TAMC hired Monterey Peninsula Engineering (MPE) for construction of Package 1, MNS Engineers as Construction Managers on the project, and HDR Engineering to provide design support during construction. In June and July 2020, the construction team completed construction of the Lincoln Avenue Extension and associated parking improvements (stage 1) and initiated work on stage 2, Railroad Avenue and the transit plaza. The construction work is now 66% complete per the amended budget and 74% percent complete per the schedule. The team currently anticipates completion of the project in October.
Package 2: Salinas Layover Facility
On December 4, 2019, the Transportation Agency Board approved Resolutions of Necessity on portions of four parcels and one full parcel needed for the Salinas layover facility. TAMC staff continues to oversee the right-of-way consulting team of AR/WS and Meyers Nave to further negotiations and finalize the acquisitions.
TAMC executed the contract for final design of Packages 2 and 3 on June 24 upon approval of the contract by the Independent Office of Audits and Investigations and after the California Transportation Commission approved the funding transfer. The team held the kick-off meeting on July 15.
Package 3: Gilroy Station & Track Improvements, Operations Scenarios
TAMC submitted comments on the High-Speed Rail Environmental Impact Report/ Study on June 19 related to the interplay between the planned track improvements as part of the Salinas Rail project at the Gilroy station and the proposed downtown High-Speed Rail station track alignments.
On July 13, staff participated in a Caltrain Business Plan working group meeting (see web attachments 1-2), which described how the business plan was pivoting to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and a renewed focus on equity issues. Caltrain was forced to cut service dramatically in the face of a steep ridership decline in March - they went from 92 to 42 trains. Ridership has rebounded somewhat since the beginning of the shelter-in-place orders and Caltrain is now operating 70 trains. The pandemic continues to cause significant uncertainties when it comes to funding for operations or capital improvements. Caltrain is still working to determine whether they will put a regional sales tax measure on the November 2020 ballot.
On July 14, staff participated in the Northern California Rail Working Group meeting, which covered the state's response to COVID-19 impacts on rail operations statewide, the 2022 state rail plan (see web attachment 3), network integration study updates, fleet strategies and the integrated ticketing program. MST signed up to be a test case for the integrated ticketing program (see web attachment 4).
Meanwhile, the Capitol Corridor South Bay Connect project (see web attachment 5) would relocate the Capitol Corridor passenger rail service between Oakland and San Jose for a shorter, more direct route. Comments on the project will be accepted until August 13, 2020.
Staff will provide a verbal update on all activities at the meeting.