Commuter Rail Extension Alternatives Analysis - Transportation ...

CALTRAIN EXTENSION TO MONTEREY COUNTYALTERNATIVES ANALYSISCHAPTER 9: 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 impcats 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 NEEDThe 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 Caltraincommuter rail service from its existing terminus in Gilroy to Monterey County, including stations inPajaro, Castroville, and Salinas. Figure 9-1 illustrates the Caltrain Extension to Monterey Countyproject area along with the proposed station locations.The proposed extension of Caltrain to Salinas would provide an alternative means of travel betweenthese counties, significantly reducing congestion along U.S. 101 into Santa Clara, San Mateo, andSan Francisco counties, and improving regional air quality. In addition, the proposed rail service is acost effective alternative to widening U.S. 101.In addition to lowering congestion on the roadways, the commuter rail extension would bring asignificant increase in ridership to the existing Caltrain and the connecting Capitol Corridor services.Other benefits to this new service include an increase in job opportunities, more transportationalternatives for senior citizens and those with physical disabilities, and increased access toeducational and health care resources 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, leading to highway congestion and poorair quality in the basin.The U.S. Census for 2000 estimates that 18,073 persons living in Monterey County work in anothercounty. Of this number, more than 30 percent are employed within Santa Clara County or other BayArea counties. Available public transportation choices between Monterey County and Santa ClaraCounty are 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 on U.S. 101and SR 156.parsons CHAPTER 9: SUMMARY 217