RECEIVE update on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project.

Activities on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project since the last update in November include the continued construction of Package 1 (Salinas Station access and circulation improvements) and coordination efforts with Union Pacific, Caltrans, Caltrain, and the City of Gilroy on Packages 2 (Salinas layover facility) and 3 (Gilroy track connections).

The capital cost of the Monterey County Rail Extension project, Phase 1, Salinas Kick Start project (the Salinas station and improvements in Santa Clara County), is estimated at $81 million. The Kick Start project is proceeding with secured state funding under the adopted state environmental clearance. Package 1 is under construction by MPE Engineering for an original contract amount of $7,487,989 with a contingency fund of $1,123,200. Approved change orders to date total $772,875.74, or 68.8% of the contingency fund approved by the Board.

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 now in final design.

Construction of 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 November-December 2020, the construction team continued work on Railroad Avenue and the transit plaza. The construction work is near complete. TAMC is organizing a ribbon-cutting photo op, with the option for virtual participation, for Friday, January 15 at noon. Staff is coordinating with the City of Salinas on the logistics to transfer ownership of the completed project to the City.

Property Acquisition for 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.

Final Design for Package 2 and Package 3: Gilroy Station & Track Improvements; Operations Scenarios 

The final design team held the following meetings to further the project's design:

• November 3 - Union Pacific kick-off meeting
• November 6 - Caltrain and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) kick-off meeting
• December 11 - City of Gilroy kick-off meeting
• December 14 - Caltrain 75% design comment resolution workshop
• December 21 - VTA design workshop
• January 6 - Union Pacific design review

Staff has scheduled a meeting for January 20 to kick off the design review with the City of Salinas Development Review Committee.

Staff met with the Northern California Rail Working Group on November 5 and Caltrans staff on November 19, December 9 and 10. Caltrans has hired Deutsche Bahn (DB) Engineering & Consulting USA Inc. to develop a strategic service deployment playbook for the near-term extension of Caltrain to Salinas as well as the potential extension of an intercity train from San Jose to San Luis Obispo. Because they are taking on this strategic negotiation with the railroad and operators, staff withdrew the negotiations request for qualifications approved by the Board in August. 

Staff will provide a verbal update on all activities at the meeting.