RECEIVE update on the Salinas Rail Extension project.

Activities on the Salinas Rail Extension project since the last update on August 7, 2017 include meetings of the Salinas Intermodal Transportation Center Steering Committee and progress in the acquisition of properties in Salinas.

The capital cost of the Salinas Rail Extension Kick-Start project (a phased implementation of the Salinas station and improvements in Gilroy, Morgan Hill and San Jose - Tamien) is estimated at a total of $70-80 million, including funds already expended on planning, environmental, and right-of-way to date. The Kick-Start project is proceeding with design and right-of-way acquisition under the adopted state environmental clearance. The funding plan does not include the acquisition of equipment to support the service, which is expected to be a Caltrans-funded effort to acquire two new trainsets and spare cars.

 Salinas Intermodal Transportation Center Steering Committee

The Salinas Intermodal Transportation Center Steering Committee met on August 14. At that meeting, the committee discussed utility relocations, electric vehicle charging station conduit locations, lighting fixtures, trash enclosure locations, the dedication of Lincoln Avenue, the Caltrans Encroachment Permit for work on Highway 183 (Market St.), and Founders Day (April 14, 2018).

TAMC staff also met with City staff on August 8 to discuss various issues pertaining to the Salinas Intermodal Transportation Center, including City plans for bringing the California Welcome Center into the freight building.

Operations Discussions

Staff has been meeting with varioius entities to discuss the operations of service to Salinas, including the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), Caltrans, Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authtority (VTA), and State Senator Jim Beall, author of Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the transportation package approved in April that includes funding set aside for intercity rail operations.

State Funding and Legislation

RPC Vice Chair Bruce Delgado and Committee Member Mike LeBarre testified at a hearing on August 30 to support the Salinas Rail Extension and Coast Rail projects. Related meetings were held with legislators and state staff. A verbal report will be presented at the meeting.

TAMC staff sent comments on the discussion draft guidelines for the Transit and Intercity Rail Capitol Program (cap and trade funding) and the State Rail Assistance program (a new funding program through SB 1). The comment letters are included in the correspondence on this agenda.

Requests for Proposal (RFPs)

TAMC published two RFPs on June 28, one for Construction Management and one for Structure Hazardous Materials Testing and Monitoring. Both contracts are currently under negotiation, anticipated to be presented for approval by the TAMC Board at its September meeting.

Property Acquisition

Staff will present an update on the status of property acquisition at the Salinas train station.