Project History
TAMC purchased the Monterey Branch Line in 2003 to preserve the right-of-way for future transit needs.
In 2009, the TAMC Board adopted light rail as the preferred use for the Branch Line. As of 2011, the cost of Phase 1 (light rail service with 15 min headways between Monterey and Marina) was estimated to cost $165 million. Phase 2 (extended light rail service with 15 minute headways from Marina to Castroville) was estimated to cost an additional $40-50 million. The project was put on hold due to federal and local funding constraints.
Per TAMC Board action, light rail remains the long-term plan for the use of the Monterey Branch Line. Bus rapid transit was identified in TAMC's service alternatives analysis as another viable alternative use for the Branch Line in the near term, as it would improve regional transit service along the Monterey Peninsula and provide ridership data along the corridor that can help make the case for future light rail service. Attached is a short summary of the key TAMC milestones over the past several years that have led to the Board position in support of both a short-term busway and a long-term plan for light rail along the Monterey Branch Line.
In 2018, MST completed the Monterey Bay Area Feasibility Study of Bus Operations on State Route 1 Shoulders and the Monterey Branch Line, included as a web attachment. The study analyzed seven alternatives and concluded that implementing a bus rapid transit corridor on a segment of the Monterey Branch Line would provide the best cost to benefit. At the August 6, 2018 Rail Policy Committee meeting, MST staff presented an overview of the feasibility study, including next steps.
In Fall 2019, MST hired Kimley-Horn for the environmental review and preliminary design phase of work, and the project officially kicked-off on November 21, 2019. The following outlines the project's progress regarding stakeholder coordination, outreach, environmental, project design and funding.
Stakeholder Coordination
MST and TAMC staff continue to meet with key stakeholders. The project team has generally received good input and positive feedback from engaged stakeholders. In recent months, the project team has been focused on coordinating with the cities of Marina, Sand City and Seaside and Caltrans District 5.
Public Outreach
The project team is developing a virtual public outreach program. As part of the outreach, the project team has developed a video simulation and a survey to garner community input. Survey questions will enable community members a chance to inform features of the project such as amenities at the transit stops and on-board the buses. The survey is anticipated to be released this month.
During the Rail Policy Committee meeting on October 5, 2020, the informative 3-minute SURF! Busway simulation was shared. The video is linked to this report as a web attachment to provide an overview of the project.
Environmental Compliance
Monterey-Salinas Transit is the lead agency for the project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). TAMC is a responsible agency under CEQA, as the owners of the right-of-way and a funding partner on the project. MST staff will provide a verbal update on the environmental review progress of the project during the meeting.
Project Design
The SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit project completed the 15% design milestone in December 2020. The project team is now working towards completing the 35% design milestone. The 15% design plans are available as a web attachment and on MST's website.
The Busway enters the Monterey Branch Line right-of-way at Del Monte Boulevard and Palm Avenue in Marina, and exits the rail right-of-way at California Avenue and Fremont Street in Sand City. The busway parallels Highway 1 for approximately six miles. The majority of the busway runs on the east side of the rail right-of-way, with minimal crossing points over the rail tracks. The proposed alignment intends to protect and preserve the rail tracks while minimizing project costs. An overview map is provided as an attachment to this report.
Funding
MST is actively coordinating with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to apply for a Capital Investment Grant, a discretionary grant program to support transit capital investments including busway/bus rapid transit. The project has been accepted into the Project Development phase of FTA’s Capital Investments Grants program. MST has requested $750,000 in Measure X funds to support a consultant to help lead the technical analysis required to reach a grant agreement with FTA, which was considered at the January TAMC Board meeting.
The project team also anticipates applying again to the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program this upcoming cycle.
Timeline
The overall project timeline for the SURF! Busway and Bus Rapid Transit Project is:
- Data collection (Fall 2019-Summer 2020)
- Preliminary engineering and design (Summer 2020-Winter 2020/21)
- Environmental compliance (Summer 2020-Spring 2021)
- Final engineering and design (Summer 2022-Fall 2023)
- Construction (Beginning Spring 2024)
- Operation (Beginning Spring 2027)