RECEIVE update on the Monterey Bay Area Rail Network Integration Study virtual open house.

The study will lay the groundwork for implementing the State Rail Plan in the Monterey Bay Area. Progress on the study since the last report to this Committee in May includes publication of the draft Study via a virtual open house to seek public input. Comments are due June 30.

The study has a budget of $500,000, funded out of the state Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program: $350,000 for consultant costs and $150,000 for staff and in-house costs. The study will be the foundation for future applications for rail capital and operations grant funding.

The Monterey Bay Area Rail Network Integration Study focuses on determining the optimal options for: rail connectivity and operations, equipment needs, governance, and community benefits for service between Monterey County and Santa Clara County, Monterey and Santa Cruz, and the Coast Rail Corridor. This study will also assist TAMC by providing the data needed to prepare grant applications for funding new stations at Pajaro/Watsonville, Castroville, Soledad and King City.

The study is intended to provide information for the TAMC Rail Policy Committee to consider in recommendations to the TAMC Board of Directors as to next steps on implementing rail projects in Monterey County connecting to the Central Coast and the Northern California megaregion.

Staff and consultants will present on the Network integration Study virtual open house, available via the project website (web attachment). Comments on the draft study are due June 30, 2021. The final study will be presented to the Committee on August 2 and to the Board on August 25 for adoption. 

• Monterey Bay Area Rail Network Integration Study website