Madera Station Relocation Project

Project Overview

The Madera HSR Station Project is being implemented in three phases:

- Phase 1: Relocated Madera San Joaquins Station
- Phase 2: Madera HSR Station for Early Operating Segment (EOS)
- Phase 3: Full-Build Madera HSR Station

Phase 1 (Relocated Madera San Joaquins Station) - Final design is nearly completed, the right-of-way needed has been secured, construction is expected to begin early 2024, and the Relocated San Joaquins Madera Station along Avenue 12 is expected to be operational by mid-2025.

Phase 2 (Madera HSR Station for Early Operating Segment (EOS) - Madera HSR implements the improvements needed for the Madera HSR Station to be served as part of HSR Early Operating Segment (EOS) between Merced and Bakersfield. Phase 2 is critical for Madera County since the SJJPA will be terminating the San Joaquins service at Merced once the HSR EOS is operating between Merced and Bakersfield. SJJPA is expected to be the Operating Agency for the HSR EOS.

Phase 3 (Madera HSR Station Full-Build Project) - Will enable the high-speed rail (HSR) station in Madera to accommodate expanded HSR operations beyond the Merced-Bakersfield California HSR EOS, to the “Valley to Valley” service to the Bay Area. This culminating phase will better connect HSR service and intercity railroad services to economic and educational centers in Madera County. The SJJPA has now released the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for Phase 3 to initial the formal environmental review process, with comments due by 5:00 pm on January 5, 2024. A draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Phase 3 is currently expected to be released to the public in early 2025.

For project documents of each phase of the Madera HSR Station, please see the tabs below:

Madera Station Phase 1

Madera San Joaquins Station Relocation

Phase 1 of the Madera HSR Station project is the relocation of the Amtrak San Joaquins station in Madera, currently located just north of the City of Madera, adjacent to the Madera Acres neighborhood. The relocated station would be just north of Avenue 12, providing better regional access and future expansion opportunity for High-Speed Rail. The existing station would be closed once Phase 1 is completed, with San Joaquins service provided at the new station location. CEQA review for this relocation has been completed, with the documents available to review at the links below.

Phase 1 Documents

Benefits of Avenue 12 Location

Will enable future high-speed rail service to access the Madera Station
Avenue 12 is currently a primary transit route for Madera County
Has excellent access to State Route 99 with a recently updated interchange at Avenue 12
Continues to provide access to central Madera with similar travel times as the current station location.
Greatly improves access times for riders from the numerous neighborhoods in southern Madera County
Accommodates anticipated growth in southeast portion of Madera County and north Fresno.
Location near Madera Community College Center will allow easy access for staff, students, and visitors

Final Design Phase

With approval of the Final IS/MND by the SJJPA Board, Phase 1 of the Project is in final design, which includes detailed engineering and design. This work will ready the project for construction, which is anticipated to begin in July 2024, with operation anticipated in 2025.

What Has Been Completed to Date?

SJJPA staff prepared and presented a Connectivity Report to the SJJPA Board identifying substantial connectivity challenges at the existing Madera San Joaquins Station.
SJJPA worked with the Madera County Transportation Commission, the County and City of Madera, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to analyze issues associated with the existing station and to identify a new station location that meets the region’s goals of improving connectivity and ridership. SJJPA has continued to coordinate with CTC, County and City.
SJJPA obtained a Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program grant for the Madera Station Relocation Project.
SJJPA has conducted extensive coordination with CalSTA and CHSRA to ensure the station design can accommodate future high-speed rail service.
SJJPA released the Madera Station Relocation Report.
SJJPA released the Draft IS/MND for the Project on October 14, 2020.
SJJPA conducted public meetings about the Draft IS/MND on November 5, 2020.
SJJPA released the Final IS/MND on January 6, 2020.
The SJJPA Board approved the Project and Certified the Final IS/MND on January 22, 2021.
SJJPA initiated the Final Design on the Madera Station Relocation Project for Phase 1 in October 2021.
Webinar Presentation (from Webinars on November 5, 2020)
Webinar Presentation (from Webinar on May 14, 2020)
Webinar Presentation – Spanish (from Webinar on May 14, 2020)\
Environmental
In April 2022, Caltrans awarded Madera County a $450,000 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant. The grant will be used to develop a Transit Area Specific Plan for the area around the Relocated San Joaquins Madera Station and future High-Speed Rail (HSR) station. (Press Release)

Madera Station Phase 2

Madera High-Speed Rail Station, Early Operating Segment

Phase 2 will bring High-Speed Rail service to Madera and allow the initial 18 round trips envisioned for the Early Operating Segment.

On October 28, 2023, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) published the Draft 2024 Interregional Transportation Improvement Program (ITIP). In partnership with SJJPA staff, Caltrans included $80 million for Phase 2 as a “New Project” in the Draft 2024 ITIP. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) is expected to approve the Final ITIP in March of 2024. Caltrans also submitted a joint application with SJJPA on August 21, 2023, for a 2023-24 MPDG Federal grant for Phase 2 which combined with the proposed ITIP funds will fully fund the improvements needed for the Madera HSR Station to serve the HSR EOS. Once HSR service and the Phase 2 station are operating, the Amtrak San Joaquins service would then be truncated at Merced. SJJPA will apply for TIRCP funding for Phase 2 in early 2024 in case MPDG is not successful or less funding is awarded than needed to complete Phase 2.

CEQA is completed with the Final IS/MND clearing Phase 2 as well as Phase 1 – see documents below for project description and more information.

Phase 2 Documents

Madera Station Phase 3

Madera High-Speed Rail Station, Full Build

Phase 3 will be the Full-Build of the High-Speed Rail station at Madera. This phase will expand on the Phase 2 project with a western platform, station track, and overhead pedestrian crossing. This additional infrastructure is necessary for Madera to accommodate “Valley to Valley” service of High-Speed Rail into the Bay Area.

The Notice of Preparation (NOP) is currently available to the public, with the comment period open until January 5, 2024. See sidebar for more information. Scoping Meeting Presentation.

The Draft EIR is expected to be released for public review in late 2024.

Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)

Key Milestones and Timeline

Environmental Clearance of the Project

SJJPA has completed environmental review for Phases 1 and 2 in accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to assess and inform the public about potential impacts of the Project, including mitigations where necessary. The Final Initial Study/Negative Mitigated Declaration (IS/MND) for the Phases 1 and 2 was approved by the SJJPA Board on January 22, 2021. To access the document, please see the link in the Phase 1 tab.

UPDATES

Phase 3 NOP Scoping Meeting

The Scoping Meeting was held online on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. You can view the PowerPoint presentation here. The comment period for this project will be open until January 5th, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

Comment Period
SJJPA is seeking comments from agencies, stakeholders, and the public regarding the scope of the environmental topics that will be analyzed and alternatives to be considered in the EIR. The public scoping period begins on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. Written responses and comments on the scope of the Project will be accepted until 5:00 on Friday, January 5, 2024.

There are two ways to send in comments:

Mail
San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority
Attn: Madera HSR Station Full-Build Project (Phase 3)
949 East Channel Street
Stockton, CA 95202

Email
info@maderastation.com
Please include “Madera HSR Phase 3 Project” in the subject line.

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Who is the Lead Agency?

SJJPA is the lead agency for this effort. To help ensure a successful process, the SJJPA is working closely with the Madera County Transportation Commission, Madera County, City of Madera, California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA).

For more information, sign up for the Project Stakeholder Database

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SJJPA Contact for Questions Regarding Madera HSR Station:
Dan Leavitt, Manager of Regional Initiatives
San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority
dan@sjjpa.com
(209) 944-6266

Madera Station Relocation Project

Madera High-Speed Rail Station