RECEIVE update on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project.

Activities on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project since the last update in February include the conclusion of the 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. 

TAMC is bringing time extension requests to the California Transportation Commission in May for the following fund sources:

• Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) #14 for right-of-way acquisition in Salinas: current expiration date June 30, 2021 - requesting one year extension to June 30, 2022.
• TCRP #7.3 for construction of improvements at Gilroy: current expiration date May 31, 2021 - requesting an extension to August 31, 2024.
• State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for construction in Salinas: programming change to move funds to fiscal year 2022/23.

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 wrapping up 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 March 2021, the construction team worked to wrap up the "punch list" items of work to close out the Caltrans, stormwater, and Salinas permits. Once the permits have been closed, remaining work is landscaping maintenance through December 2021. Staff is coordinating with Caltrans and 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:

• High Speed Rail Authority - February 12
• Caltrans and Caltrain - February 17, February 24, and March 17
• City of Salinas - February 24 and March 24
• City of Gilroy - February 26 and March 30

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