Madera Station Relocation Project
Project Overview
The Madera Station Relocation Project is moving into the environmental clearance stage for Phase 3, the Madera HSR Station Full-Build Project (Phase 3). Phase 3 builds upon SJJPA’s Madera Station Relocation Project, which included Phase 1- Madera San Joaquins Station Relocation Project, and Phase 2- Madera HSR Early Operating Segment (EOS) Station. The primary objective of the Project is to improve access to passenger rail service within Madera County and the San Joaquin Valley Region. The Project will provide unprecedented economic, mobility, and safety benefits for Madera County. This project will enable a high-speed rail (HSR) station in Madera County, California, for expanded HSR operations beyond the Merced-Bakersfield California HSR EOS and better connect existing intercity railroad services to economic and educational centers in Madera County. This project is required to facilitate continued service in Madera County, as an HSR Station, once HSR extends to the Bay Area and “Silicon Valley to Central Valley” service has begun.
The Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) describes the project in detail.
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
Scoping Meeting
SJJPA invites you to participate in a virtual scoping meeting, which includes an overview of the project and an informational open house and will offer the public ways to submit written comments.
The Scoping Meeting will be held online on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM online and accessible on the Zoom app at https://kearnswest.zoom.us/j/82159113485.
Please note: The main presentation will be from 9:30-10am, and presenters will be available to answer questions till 11:30am.
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.
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