Commuter Rail Extension Alternatives Analysis - Transportation ...

CALTRAIN EXTENSION TO MONTEREY COUNTYALTERNATIVES ANALYSISThe Monterey County General Bikeways Plan (2001) includes a proposed Class I Bikeway alongCastroville Boulevard and underneath the UPRR rail line in the vicinity of the proposed Castrovillestation. This trail will provide connectivity between the Castroville central business district, the highschool to the east, and the station area.The City of Salinas has been actively working since 1996 to develop the Intermodal TransportationCenter on the site of the Amtrak passenger station. In 1999, the city’s Redevelopment Agencyacquired 3.5 acres of land housing the station from UPRR. Beginning in June 1996, the city consideredvarious land acquisition strategies and conceptual plans for transportation center development.In June 1998, a site plan was finalized. The city subsequently constructed the Amtrak facility thatexists today.Specific ongoing efforts include the City of Salinas’ plans for intensified transit-oriented developmentnear the Salinas station site, Caltrans’ plans for upgrading SR 156 east of Castroville Boulevard, theCastroville Community Plan, the Pajaro Community Plan, UPRR’s short- and long-term plans forfreight and yard operations, and the California Passenger Rail System Five-Year Improvement Plan.Formal cooperation agreements have been established between TAMC, the Monterey County RedevelopmentAgency and the City of Salinas (Rail Planning Funds Cooperation Agreement, dated February7, 2002, amended September 13, 2002) and between TAMC and MST (Agreement for FundingStudy of the Relocation of the Salinas Transit Center to the Salinas Intermodal Center as a Part ofthe Caltrain Extension Project, dated December 12, 2002).Negotiations are ongoing between TAMC and the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board regardingrevenue and cost sharing. In addition, a purchase-of-service agreement will stipulate TAMC/PeninsulaCorridor Joint Powers Board rights and powers, financial commitments, service parameters, anddetails of administrative procedures.Discussions between TAMC and UPRR are also ongoing regarding main line track and signalingimprovements. TAMC has met with UPRR to develop a trackage rights agreement for the extensionof Caltrain from Gilroy to Salinas. On June 26, 2003 UPRR presented TAMC with a draft “Term SheetConditions for Salinas-Gilroy Passenger Service.” This term sheet outlines operating parameters,capacity/track improvements, compensation, liability/insurance, and other terms for the minimumoperating segment, subject to further discussions and negotiations during project delivery.Based on a detailed definition of the Caltrain Extension Alternative contained in the CaltrainExtension to Monterey County Project Study Report, dated February 21, 2006, a Draft CaliforniaEnvironmental Quality Act Environmental Impact Report was prepared and circulated for publiccomment on April 26, 2006. The public review period for the Draft Environmental Impact Reportended on June 16, 2006, and a Final Environmental Impact Report was subsequently published onJuly 26, 2006. The TAMC Board of Directors certified the Final Environmental Impact Report onAugust 23, 2006.As noted above, the minimum operating segment is the service and facilities defined in this AlternativesAnalysis for the 2010 timeframe. Three stations would initially be constructed as proposed forthe full Caltrain Extension Alternative. Parking supplies would be reduced, however, commensuratewith ridership expectations for the 2010–2015 initial five years of service operation. Other aspects ofthe minimum operating segment would be as defined for the full Caltrain Extension Alternative.parsons CHAPTER 9: SUMMARY 231