The Monterey County Rail Extension Project will extend 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 August and September 2020, the construction team continued work on Railroad Avenue and the transit plaza. The construction work is now 69% complete per the amended budget and 88% percent complete per the schedule. The team currently anticipates completion of the project in mid-November. TAMC is organizing a ribbon-cutting photo op, with the option for virtual participation, for December 7, 2020, at 3 pm at the train station. Staff will give a verbal update at the meeting.
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.
Package 3: Gilroy Station & Track Improvements, Operations Scenarios
Caltrain provided the final feasibility study (web attachment) to TAMC to share with this committee. The study is focused on answering critical due diligence questions around operations, governance, and legal considerations of the near term service scenario of extending existing weekday service from Gilroy to Salinas. The four central principles of the report are:
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Service must be cost-neutral for JPB.
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No changes to Caltrain mainline service.
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TAMC, working with the State, will address all risks and liabilities of the new service.
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No changes to the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) governance structure.
Assuming these principles are achieved, Caltrain did not find any significant operational, legal, or design roadblocks and concluded that an extension to Salinas is feasible. The study outlines steps to initiate service, including a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the goal of developing a fee for service arrangement.
Following this initial MOU, Caltrain and TAMC staff would begin actively engaging in discussions about the parameters and conditions of service. The study includes a preliminary list of conditions to help jump-start more focused discussions. Further discussions between legal counsel, TAMC staff, and Caltrain staff in the next phase(s) of study will reveal new, detailed factors for the two agencies to resolve.
Pursuant to the recommendations in this study, staff aims to bring a contract for negotiations with Caltrain and Union Pacific to the Board of Directors in October or December.
Staff will provide a verbal update on all activities at the meeting.