Merced Intermodal Track Connection (MITC) Project
Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Merced Intermodal Track Connection Project Focused on Additional Biological Resources Analysis (Crotch’s Bumble Bee)
Public Comments Accepted July 31, 2025 - September 15, 2025
SJJPA published a Notice of Availability and the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report (Revised Draft EIR) for the Merced Intermodal Track Connection (MITC) Project on July 31, 2025. The Revised Draft EIR was prepared to address comments from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on impacts related to Crotch’s bumble bee. Crotch’s bumble bee is listed as a candidate species under the California Endangered Species Act and thus meets the definition of special-status species used by SJJPA for the impact analysis. Crotch’s bumble bee is assumed to be present in the study area for the Project, based on the existence of suitable habitat for the species in the study area. Construction activities associated with the Project could affect grassland for Crotch’s bumble bee, resulting in a potentially significant impact if Crotch’s bumble bee are present at the time of disturbance. With implementation of Mitigation Measure BIO-2.15: Avoidance and Minimization Measures for Crotch’s Bumble Bee, the impact would be less than significant. Thus, to provide the opportunity for meaningful public review and comment regarding the additional analysis and mitigation measure associated with Crotch’s bumble bee, SJJPA has decided to recirculate the Draft EIR. SJJPA, as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), is issuing the Revised Draft EIR limited to the portions of the Draft EIR that require revision based on the new information described above, consistent with the guidance provided under CEQA.
SJJPA welcomes comments on the content of this Revised Draft EIR and requests that such comments be limited to the scope of the Revised Draft EIR. Comments on this Revised Draft EIR must be received by SJJPA no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 15, 2025, and can be submitted by:
- Mail: San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, Attn: MITC Project
949 East Channel Street, Stockton, CA 95202
- Email: information@mitcproject.org
Project Overview
The Merced Intermodal Track Connection (MITC) Project includes a new track
connection from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) corridor to the proposed integrated Merced High-Speed Rail (HSR) Station in downtown Merced between R and O Streets, in addition to a new platform that would allow for a cross-platform transfer between the San Joaquins and HSR. The Project only includes the construction of the track connection; it does not include the construction of the proposed integrated station.
The Project would consist of the following:
- New passenger rail connection for the San Joaquins from BNSF north of State Route (SR) 59 to the southern terminus at the proposed integrated Merced HSR Station
- New aerial guideway that would connect into the east side of the HSR platform (which would be shared with the San Joaquins) at the proposed integrated Merced HSR Station, creating an elevated integrated platform with HSR
- Modification of the approved Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Merced Layover and Maintenance Facility
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is planning to construct the Merced-Bakersfield HSR Early Operating Segment (EOS) and afterwards to extend the HSR service to Gilroy in the Bay Area and/or Palmdale in Southern California. HSR is planned to provide faster, more reliable, and more frequent service than the San Joaquins currently provides between Merced and Bakersfield. When the Merced-Bakersfield HSR EOS is operational, the San Joaquins passenger rail service between Merced and Bakersfield will be replaced by the HSR service and SJJPA will terminate the San Joaquins intercity rail service in Merced. SJJPA is expected to be the operating agency for the HSR EOS.
Implementing the Project would allow direct transfers from San Joaquins service to HSR at the proposed integrated Merced HSR Station in downtown Merced. The San Joaquins would offer intercity service between the Bay Area/Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Valley. The Project would provide a cross-platform transfer between the San Joaquins and HSR for passengers traveling between the Bay Area/Sacramento and Madera, Fresno, Kings/Tulare, Bakersfield, and Southern California (via Thruway bus connection).
Benefits of MITC
- Integrates and creates a seamless connection between the San Joaquins service and the Merced-Bakersfield HSR Early Operating Segment and future Phase I HSR service in Merced
- Enhances San Joaquins service to better serve regional markets
- Reduces traffic congestion, improve regional air quality, and reduce GHG emissions
Stay Connected
Questions?
Email us at: information@mitcproject.org
Or by telephone at: (209) 200-8302
Project Location
The Project is located entirely within Merced County and almost entirely within the city limits of Merced. A small portion of the limits of the Project near Ashby Road and Miles Court is outside the city limits of Merced within Merced County. The new track for the Project would run from the BNSF corridor just north of where it crosses Snelling Highway (SR 59) to the north to a station platform at the proposed integrated station located between R and O Streets in downtown Merced, parallel to 16th Street.
Work Completed to Date
SJJPA completed a Project Study Report Equivalent to identify the Project scope, schedule, and estimated cost of the Project in March 2022.
SJJPA is currently conducting the project's environmental review in compliance with CEQA. The CEQA work completed to date includes:
- SJJPA filed a Notice of Preparation for the Project on January 5, 2023, and accepted scoping comments through February 19, 2023
- SJJPA held a scoping meeting on January 26, 2023
- SJJPA filed a Notice of Availability of the Draft EIR for the Project on July 17, 2024 and accepted comments on the Draft EIR through August 31, 2024
- SJJPA conducted an open house meeting on August 1, 2024
- SJJPA filed a Notice of Availability of the Revised Draft EIR for the Project and published the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report on July 31, 2025, and is accepting comments on the Revised Draft EIR through September 15, 2025
If the Project receives federal funding, it is anticipated that the Project will comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as necessary.
Lead Agency
SJJPA manages the San Joaquins rail service and is expected to be the Operating Agency for CHSRA’s Merced-Bakersfield EOS. SJJPA and CHSRA will partner to implement the improvements needed for the Merced Intermodal Hub. SJJPA is the lead agency for MITC under CEQA working in partnership with CHSRA, California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), Caltrans, Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) and the City of Merced.
Key Milestones
SJJPA and the Project Team Want to Hear From You!
For more information or to receive updates about the MITC Project, please click here: information@mitcproject.org