Madera Station Relocation Project
Project Overview
The existing Madera San Joaquins Station (Station), which is nearly three miles north of Madera, has extremely low ridership and has no connecting fixed route transit service due to its location. The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA), in coordination with local leaders, is in the process of relocating the Madera Station to a location near Avenue 12 to better meet regional goals of improving ridership and connectivity.
Project Background
In July 2015, the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) took on the responsibility of administering and managing the 365-mile long Amtrak San Joaquins Service (San Joaquins). The SJJPA continually seeks to expand services, improve ridership, and reduce operating costs. Increases in services and ridership will create jobs, improve air quality, and help promote sustainable development along the San Joaquins Corridor.
Environmental Clearance of the Project
SJJPA has completed environmental review 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 Madera Station Relocation Project was approved by the SJJPA Board on January 22, 2021. To access the document, please see the link below.
Final Design Phase
With approval of the Final IS/MND by the SJJPA Board, Phase 1 of the Project, which encompasses the relocation of the existing Madera San Joaquins Station, has now entered final design. Final design includes detailed engineering and design for the station design for Phase 1 to prepare the project for construction, which is anticipated to begin in 2023. A project timeline can be found below.
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).
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 Final Design on the Madera Station Relocation Project for Phase 1 in October 2021.
- 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.
Benefits of Avenue 12 Location
- 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
- Will enable future high-speed rail service to access the Madera Station
Additional Information and Project Documents
- Madera Station Phase 1 Projetct Fact Sheet
- Madera Station Phase 1 & 2 Project Fact Sheet
- Madera HSR Station Fact Sheet
- Phase 1 Madera Station Plans
- Phase 2 Madera Station Plans
- Press Release – Caltrans Awards Sustainable Transportation Grant to Madera County (April 6, 2022)
- 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)
- Madera Station Relocation Report (May 2020)
- Notice of Intent to Adopt Mitigated Negative Declaration
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Vol. 1
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Appendix A
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Appendix B
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Appendix C
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Appendix D
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Appendix E
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Appendix F
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Appendix G
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Appendix H
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Appendix I (Public Comments and Responses)
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Appendix J (Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program)
- Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Vol. 2 – Final Engineering Plans
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Key Milestones and Timeline
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Madera Station Relocation SJJPA Project Manager:
Dan Leavitt, Manager of Regional Initiatives
San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority
dan@sjjpa.com
(209) 944-6266