Item Coversheet

Agenda Item 5.

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TRANSPORTATION AGENCY FOR MONTEREY COUNTY
Memorandum
To: 

Rail Policy Committee

From:

Christina Watson, Director of Planning

Meeting Date:

April 3, 2023

Subject:

Salinas Rail Kick Start Project Update



RECOMMENDED ACTION:

RECEIVE update on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project.

SUMMARY:

Activities on the Salinas Rail Kick Start project since the last update in November include operations scenario discussions and design coordination efforts with key stakeholders on Packages 2 (Salinas layover facility) and 3 (Gilroy track connections).

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

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.

DISCUSSION:

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.

 

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 special counsel from Burke, Williams, & Sorensen 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

 

HDR Engineering prepared the 100% plans, specifications and estimates for stakeholder review on September 1, 2022, and has gathered stakeholder input on those plans. The final design team held the following meetings to further the project's design:

  • High-Speed Rail, Gilroy, Caltrain, Caltrans, and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) related to Gilroy station and track coordination - February 9, March 13, 15, and 21

 

Operations Discussions

 

On March 2, 2023, the Caltrain Joint Powers Board (JPB) adopted the Memorandum of Understanding related to the extension of Caltrain service from Gilroy to Salinas (web attachment). The JPB resolution makes the service extension contingent on a fourth round trip of Caltrain service to Gilroy (attached).

 

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

ATTACHMENTS:
Description
JPB Resolution
WEB ATTACHMENTS: