Caltrain Launches Electrification Environmental Review

By

January 31, 2013

Caltrain is kicking off environmental review of the electrification project with a series of public meetings to seek input on the scope of the review.

A vital step in meeting the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act is to seek public input from neighboring agencies, organizations and individuals on the scoping of corridor electrification impacts.   This is the first in a series of feedback opportunities corridor stakeholders will have to comment on the project.

Caltrain already has engaged in extensive outreach on the modernization and electrification program, meeting with community groups and elected officials for the past several months. This new round of outreach is the first step in the formal process of preparing and obtaining state environmental review and approval of the project.

Last year, the California High Speed Rail Authority recommended funding corridor electrification as one of its “early investment” projects. 

That money, when combined with other federal, regional and local funds, totals $1.5 billion and will allow Caltrain to electrify the Peninsula corridor from San Francisco to the Tamien Station in San Jose. Electrification and modernization includes several elements: installation of an advanced signal system known as CBOSS/PTC, the installation of the electrification system of power sources and overhead wires and the purchase of electric rail vehicles.

The environmental impact report for Caltrain electrification and modernization does not include High Speed Rail service, which will be subject to a separate environmental review.

Modernization and electrification of Caltrain is anticipated to allow increased  service to more stations while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent.

Caltrain will begin operating electrified service by 2019, but this will not include High Speed Rail service, which is not expected to reach the Peninsula until 2026, at the earliest. 

To kick off the environmental clearance process, Caltrain staff will be holding four public scoping meetings to receive feedback:

Feb. 27, 2013
Caltrain Offices, 2^nd floor Auditorium
1250 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos
-Open House: 3 – 6 p.m.
-Scoping Meeting 6 – 8 p.m.

Feb. 28, 2013
Palo Alto City Hall, City Council Chambers
250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto
6 – 8 p.m.

Mar. 5, 2013
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Auditorium
3331 N. First St., San Jose
6 – 8 p.m.

Mar. 7, 2013

San Francisco City Hall, Board Chambers
1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Pl., San Francisco
6 – 8 p.m.

Caltrain will be accepting comments on the electrification scoping process until 5 p.m. on Mar. 18, 2013.  Comments may be made in person, by e-mailing electrification@caltrain.com, subject line “Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project” or by mailing to:

Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain)
Attn.: Stacy Cocke, Senior Planner
1250 San Carlos Ave.
San Carlos, CA 94070-1306  

The Notice of Preparation can be found online at www.caltrain.com/electrification.

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About Caltrain:   Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with limited commute service to Gilroy. Caltrain has enjoyed 28 consecutive months of ridership increases, surpassing more than 50,000 average weekday riders, earlier this year. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad will celebrate 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the corridor by 2019, reducing diesel emissions by 90 percent and adding more service to more stations. 

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