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 has wrapped 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 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. The CTC considered the requested transfer at its January 26-27 meeting. Staff will provide a verbal update at the Committee 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 continues to oversee the right-of-way consulting team of AR/WS and Meyers Nave to further negotiations and finalize the remaining acquisitions in Salinas, and the team of Bender Rosenthal and Nossaman for Union Pacific property access negotiations.
Final Design for Package 2 and Package 3: Gilroy Station & Track Improvements; Operations Scenarios
HDR Engineering prepared the 90% plans, specifications and estimates for stakeholder review on November 8. Comments were due from partner agencies by January 7. HDR is now working on responding to comments, with the goal of preparing 100% plans by May.
The final design team held the following meetings to further the project's design:
- Amtrak and Union Pacific - February 2
- Caltrans and Caltrain - January 14
- City of Gilroy and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) - January 11
- City of Salinas - January 25
Documents the team is preparing for future Committee/Board approval include the following:
- 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.