Commuter Rail Extension Alternatives Analysis - Transportation ...

CALTRAIN EXTENSION TO MONTEREY COUNTYALTERNATIVES ANALYSISEXECUTIVE SUMMARYAn Alternatives Analysis study evaluates appropriate modal and alignment options for addressingmobility options in a given corridor. The study provides information to local officials on the benefits,costs, and impacts of alternative transportation investments developed to address the purpose andneed for an improvement in a corridor. An Alternatives Analysis study is required for a project toqualify for federal Section 5309 New Starts capital funding. The study is complete when a locallypreferred alternative (LPA) is selected by local and regional decision makers.PURPOSE AND NEED FOR TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENTThe U.S. 101 Corridor is heavily congested in the San Francisco Bay Area and portions of MontereyCounty. Caltrain commuter rail service currently extends from San Francisco in the north to Gilroy inthe south. The proposed Caltrain Extension to Monterey County project would extend Caltrain from itsexisting terminus in Gilroy to Monterey County, including stations in Pajaro (Watsonville Junction),Castroville, and Salinas. Figure 1 illustrates the project area and the existing and proposed stationlocations.The proposed extension of Caltrain to Salinas would provide an alternative means of travel betweenMonterey County and Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco counties, significantly reducingcongestion on U.S. 101 and improving regional air quality. The proposed rail service is also a costeffective alternative to widening U.S. 101.In addition to lowering congestion on the roadways, the commuter rail extension would bring a significantincrease in ridership to the existing Caltrain and connecting Capitol Corridor services. Otherbenefits include increased access to job opportunities, more transportation alternatives for seniorcitizens and those with physical disabilities, and increased access to educational and health careresources in the San Francisco Bay Area.Currently, job distribution and worker housing distribution patterns do not match in the MontereyCounty and San Francisco Bay Areas. The northern counties of San Francisco and Santa Clara havelarge job surpluses, requiring approximately 117,000 non-San Francisco Bay Area residents to fill theavailable positions as of 2000 (Metropolitan Transportation Commission). This pull of workersgenerates a large volume of inter-regional commuter traffic, adding to highway congestion and airquality impacts.The U.S. Census for 2000 estimated that 18,073 persons living in Monterey County work in anothercounty. Of this number, more than 30 percent are employed in Santa Clara County or other SanFrancisco Bay Area counties. Available public transportation between Monterey County and SantaClara County is limited to three northbound bus trips during the AM commute period and two southboundbus trips during the afternoon commute period. These buses are subject to traffic delays onU.S. 101 and SR 156parsons EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-1