and the TAMC March Meeting Report By Chris Flescher, RailPAC Associate Director Planners, working for the city of Salinas, are currently creating a plan that would significantly redevelop the downtown area. I attended a public meeting that described many aspects of the plan. The plan may be finalized in about two years from now, and…
Provided by Eugene K. Skoropowski, Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority The economic slowdown, plus one less day in February 2009 than in February 2008 (a leap year), appears to have impacted the most ‘business oriented’ corridors, the Capitol Corridor and the Pacific Surfliners. The more discretionary market on the San Joaquins, on the…
Presentation/Open House Report by Marcia Johnston, RailPAC Director Sacramento Amtrak Station Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Introduction: Mike Wiley, General Manager, Sacramento Regional Transit Presenter: Jim Heck, Consultant, HDR Engineering The Environmental Impact Report [EIR] is a report that documents the potential impacts of a proposed project. Under Federal and State laws, certain proposed projects require…
TAMC Rail Policy Committee 2-2-2009 Reported by Chris Flescher RailPAC Associate Director, Salinas For the Monterey Branch Line (MBL) project, the alternatives analysis is happening. All alternatives will connect with the future Caltrain extension in Castroville. Two alternatives appear to be the most viable, and the service could start operation in 2014/2015. The alternatives being…
An interview with Caltrans’ BILL BRONTE Reported by Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer with Russ Jackson, RailPAC.org editor There is good news to celebrate and some not so good news as to the future of funding for the Caltrans Rail program for the year 2009 as of the publication date of this newsletter. In late February…
. . . and Commentary by Russ Jackson . . . March, 2009. February will go down as an important month for rail funding in the U.S. and California. As you saw in the Kerby-Jackson report, the California Rail Program received an increase, not a decrease, in operating funding for 2009! That does reflect the…
A PHOTO report By Robert Manning, RailPAC Director 3/8 UPDATE: What a Difference a week can Make! Amtrak cancelled service on the Sunset Limited for the Palm Springs Train Station Sunday March 8, 2009 due to extensive track work. (NOTE: “No alternative transportation provided”) Union Pacific is replacing the spur line that comes off of…
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer After the customary political fun and games, President Obama got an Economic Stimulus Bill which will pump 787 Billion dollars into the sinking economy. Despite the pre-inaugural emphasis on infrastructure construction, the final total for infrastructure was around 100 billion dollars. This pales against the estimated 2.2 Trillion dollar back…
Commentary by Paul Dyson, RailPAC President, and member, Burbank Transportation Commission. The facility would provide “moving walkway” link with the Amtrak/Metrolink station. The Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport JPA has put forward an ambitious plan to improve public transit connections at the Burbank Bob Hope Airport. The airport already has the closest rail access of any…
by Bruce Jenkins, RailPAC Director The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) met in Suisun City on Wednesday, February 18, 2009. The Board approved the CCJPA FY ’09-’10 — FY ’10-’11 Business Plan Update. The Plan will be finalized and submitted to the Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BT&H) by Apr ’09. (Note:…