EIR Released for Valley Rail Project
Public Comment Period Now Open Regarding Track Improvements, New Station Buildout, and Increased Passenger Rail Service through Bay Area, San Joaquin, Sacramento Corridors
(March 31, 2019, Sacramento, CA) Today the
San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) issued a Draft Environmental
Impact Report (DEIR) consistent with the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the “Valley Rail Sacramento Extension” Project
(proposed project). This opens a 45-day public comment period where
stakeholders are encouraged to review the document’s discussion of
environmental issues associated with the proposed project and provide comments
back to SJRRC, which is serving as the lead agency for the EIR.
The Valley Rail Sacramento Extension Project would expand Amtrak
San Joaquins and Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) passenger rail services to the
greater Sacramento area through the construction of six new rail stations and track
improvements along the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Sacramento Subdivision
train tracks. The Project includes the potential implementation of two new
roundtrips of San Joaquins service operating on the Sacramento, Fresno, and
BNSF Stockton Subdivisions, as well as an extension of existing ACE service to
the proposed Natomas Station. The Project also includes service from the
proposed Natomas Station to the Ceres ACE Station included in the ACE Extension
Lathrop to Ceres/Merced project. The six new stations would be constructed in
the following locations: Lodi, south Sacramento (to be named the “North Elk
Grove” station), City College, Midtown Sacramento, Old North Sacramento, and
Natomas/Sacramento Airport (with a shuttle connection to and from the Sacramento
International Airport).
In 2018, the California State Transportation Agency awarded
approximately $500.5 million in grant funds for capital improvements in the
Valley Rail Project, a coordinated plan by the San Joaquin Joint Powers
Authority and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. The primary objectives
of the proposed project are to:
- Expand passenger rail service to new markets
in San Joaquin and Sacramento counties; - Increase frequency of service;
- Increase passenger rail ridership;
- Reduce travel time between the San Joaquin
Valley and the Sacramento area; - Augment existing transit capacity and provide
transit connections; - Provide an alternative to automobile traffic
congestion; - Improve regional air quality;
- Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and
- Support local and regional land use
development plans and policies.
The proposed project would also contribute to geographic equity by
providing increased connectivity within the Central Valley, including
Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, and Fresno counties; the
Bay Area; and the greater California rail network via two future high-speed
rail (HSR) connections in Merced and San Jose.
SJRRC invites input on the DEIR from all relevant stakeholders and
public agencies during this 45-day public comment period. Currently, there are
three meetings tentatively scheduled to allow public presentation and
discussion of the EIR:
- Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Located at the North Natomas
Community Room - Tuesday, April 28, 2020 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Located at the Midtown Community Association
- Monday, May 11, 2020 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM:
Located at Laguna Town Hall in Elk Grove
Please note that SJRRC and SJJPA staff are continuing to monitor
developments related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on a daily basis and
participate in frequent updates from local, state, and federal public health
agencies and local jurisdictions. Out of concern for public health and safety,
there is a possibility that open houses for the Valley Rail Sacramento
Extension DEIR will be replaced with an online, virtual open house. Please
check the project website at www.acerail.com or www.sjjpa.com for the most
up-to-date information regarding open houses for the Valley Rail Sacramento Extension
DEIR.
Written responses and comments on the DEIR of the Valley Rail
Sacramento Extension Project are encouraged and will be accepted until 5:00 PM
on May 15, 2020.
Comments may be sent via email to ace.sacramentoextension@gmail.com,
or via mail to:
San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
Attn: Valley Rail Sacramento Extension DEIR
949 E. Channel Street
Stockton, CA 95202
Please include “Valley Rail Sacramento Extension DEIR” in the
subject heading for emailed comments.
A copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (including all appendices) can be found on the project website at https://cdn.acerail.com/valley_rail/ or www.sjjpa.com/valley_rail/