RECEIVE update on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project and PROVIDE direction to staff regarding the transfer of the land for Package 1 to the City of Salinas.

Activities on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project since the last update in April include work related to closing out permits for the construction of Package 1 (Salinas Station access and circulation improvements) and coordination efforts with Union Pacific, Caltrans, Caltrain, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 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 April 2021, the construction team worked to close out the Caltrans, stormwater, and Salinas permits. Once the permits have been closed, remaining work is landscaping maintenance through December 2021.

TAMC staff is coordinating with Caltrans and the City of Salinas on the logistics to transfer ownership of the completed project to the City, pursuant to the adopted Memorandum of Understanding. The land transfer must be approved by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) prior to the City and TAMC approving transfer agreements. The CTC is requiring the City to commit to replacing any parking spaces used for future development in a location walking distance from the station. Staff will provide a verbal update and request Committee direction on this issue at the meeting. 

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 has finalized the settlement for one parcel and continues to oversee the right-of-way consulting team of AR/WS and Meyers Nave to further negotiations and finalize the remaining 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:

• Caltrans and Caltrain - April 21
• City of Salinas - April 28
• City of Gilroy - April 12, site visit April 29
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency (VTA) - April 20

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