RECEIVE update on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project.

Activities on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project since the last update in August include work related to closing out permits for the construction of Package 1 (Salinas Station access and circulation improvements) and coordination efforts with key stakeholders 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 $809,641.69, or 72.1% 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 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 August 2021, the construction team worked to close out the Caltrans and Salinas permits and to fix more sidewalk cracks, this one near the Granary building. 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) to empower the City and TAMC to approve 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.

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 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 - August 6, 26 and 27
• City of Salinas - August 6 and 25
• Northern California Rail Working Group - August 10
• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and City of Gilroy - August 23
• Union Pacific and Amtrak - August 9
• Union Pacific and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) - August 24

Documents the team is preparing for future Committee/Board approval include the following:

• Package 1 construction notice of completion.
• Land transfer agreement between TAMC and the City of Salinas, per the adopted Memorandum of Understanding.
• Package 2-3 final design contract amendment for elements identified during the CPUC diagnostic in Gilroy.
• Memorandum of Understanding between TAMC and Caltrain outlining the process towards an operating agreement.
• Memorandum of Understanding among TAMC, VTA and Gilroy for improvements near the Gilroy train station to support the extension of passenger rail service south from Gilroy.
• Fund Transfer Agreement between TAMC and Caltrans, to transfer $1,615,000 of Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program funding to Caltrans to help fund the Positive Train Control project between Gilroy and San Luis Obispo.

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