Wikipedia

Valley Rail (ACE)

This article is about the extensions of Altamont Corridor Express service. For the proposed east-west commuter rail line from Dublin/Pleasanton BART station along I-580, see Valley Link. For the proposed north-south rail extension from Sacramento to Chico, see North Valley Rail. For the proposed east-west commuter rail line in the Central Valley, see Cross Valley Corridor. For other named rail services including "valley", see Valley Rail (disambiguation).

Valley Rail is a project to expand Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) and Amtrak California San Joaquins commuter rail services, divided into several segments which include two service extensions from Stockton to Sacramento and Merced, station improvements, and grade separation of the Stockton Diamond.

The ACEforward project was initiated in 2013 to expand ridership by improving service reliability and frequency on the existing route between Stockton and San Jose, and by extending the route east from Stockton to Merced; during its development, financial and logistical challenges were identified which precluded operating more trains on the existing segment, and the Valley Rail project replaced ACEforward in 2017, initially focusing on the eastern extension to Merced. The first environmental impact reports for Valley Rail were released in 2018; funding was secured in 2023, and construction began in 2024.

Overview

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Schematic ACE, Capitol Corridor, and San Joaquins routemap with planned Valley Rail extensions, approximately true for station locations, directions, and distances

The Sacramento Extension will use the Sacramento Subdivision between Stockton and Sacramento.[1]: ES-1, ES-8  In the first phase of the Sacramento Extension, six new stations would be constructed along the line between Natomas and the current eastern ACE terminus in Stockton Downtown (Cabral) station;[1]: ES-1, ES-6  a layover facility would be built near the new Natomas station in that north Sacramento neighborhood for the second phase.[1]: ES-8  After the first phase, one ACE train would start from Natomas in the morning and continue to San Jose via Stockton, with a corresponding return trip in the afternoon;[1]: ES-10  two round-trip San Joaquins trains would be added, both with Natomas as the northern terminus, operating to either Fresno or Bakersfield.[1]: ES-9  The San Joaquins stop in Stockton would move from San Joaquin Street station to Downtown/Cabral.[1]: ES-9  South of Stockton Downtown/Cabral, San Joaquins would continue to operate on the Stockton Subdivision.[1]: ES-9 

In addition, the related North Valley Rail project proposes to extend service north from Natomas to Chico. Under the initial operating plan, two daily trains would depart Chico in the mornings, traveling south via Natomas and Stockton Downtown/Cabral; one would continue through and terminate at Union City, while the other would stay in Stockton for a timed transfer to San Joaquins trains. Two afternoon northbound trains would be provided for passengers returning to Chico.[2]

The Merced Extension is divided into two phases, covering Lathrop to Ceres and Ceres to Merced, which will extend service to Ceres and Merced via Lathrop and Modesto. This extension will use the Fresno Subdivision, joining the existing ACE route at a new North Lathrop station, just north of Lathrop/Manteca station. The existing route uses the Oakland Subdivision from Niles to Lathrop and the rail junction between the Fresno and Oakland subdivisions will be rebuilt.[3]: 2–2, 2–7, 2–9  Several new stations will be constructed and the line will be double-tracked, extending the eastern ACE terminus to Merced, where a new layover facility would be added.[3]: 2–10 [4]: 3–3  Under the initial operating plans, four trains would start at Merced (Ceres after the first phase) in the mornings, traveling to North Lathrop, with a timed transfer stop for passengers continuing westbound to San Jose.[3]: 2–23 [4]: 3–18, 3–19  Three trains would continue from North Lathrop to Natomas, where they would be stored for the day; one train would operate a mid-day roundtrip from Natomas to Stockton and back.[1]: 2–21, 2–22  One train would continue to San Jose. Three or four return trains would be provided from North Lathrop to Merced (Ceres) in the afternoons, timed to allow transfers for passengers eastbound from San Jose.[3]: 2–23 [4]: 3–18, 3–19 

In addition to the extensions to Sacramento and Ceres/Merced, Valley Rail includes a grade separation for the Stockton Diamond, a major rail junction between the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe,[5] and upgrades to San Joaquins stations, including the relocation of Madera station[6] and construction of Oakley station.[7]

History

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ACEforward proposed modifications, including spur line to Union City, tunnel under Altamont Pass, rerouting through Tracy, and extension to Merced.

ACEforward was a project initiated by ACE in 2013 to increase ridership, primarily by improving service frequency and reliability over the existing Stockton–San Jose route, including a proposed tunnel through Altamont Pass, but also by expanding service east from Stockton further into the Central Valley. Full implementation of ACEforward was estimated at US$9.7 billion,[8] a significant financial burden; in addition, logistical and coordination challenges to expanding service were identified. ACE discontinued ACEforward in favor of a new Valley Rail project, which scaled back the older project's scope by focusing initially on the eastern expansion to Merced.[9]: 1–1 

The draft and final environmental impact reports (EIR) for the first segment of the Merced Extension (covering the route from Lathrop to Ceres) was released in 2018.[10][11] The draft and final EIRs for the second segment (Ceres to Merced) were released in April and November 2021, respectively.[12][13]

A draft EIR for the Sacramento Extension was released in 2020, with services expected to begin no later than 2023.[14] The North Elk Grove station was removed from Sacramento Extension plans when the final EIR was issued in September 2020;[1] a separate evaluation was performed for a relocated Elk Grove station via draft and final EIRs issued in December 2021 and March 2022, respectively.[15][16]

The Valley Rail project received funding via California's Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program in 2023, by which time the project was expected to open in phases beginning in 2025.[17] Later that year, the estimated commencement of services to Ceres and Natomas were again pushed back to 2026, with service to Merced and infill stations opening by 2030.[18]

 
Groundbreaking ceremony for Lathrop Wye Box Culvert (June 2024)

Construction of a concrete box culvert, kicking off the Ceres/Merced Extension, was bid in December 2023 and started in May 2024.[19] The new culvert is required to support upgrades to the Lathrop Wye, and construction is scheduled to take 22 months to complete.[20] A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 20, 2024.[21]

Proposed routes and operations

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Background

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Amtrak California San Joaquins service connects Bakersfield with Stockton via the former AT&SF route through the California Central Valley; from the Stockton Diamond, most trains turn west to Stockton (San Joaquin Street) station enroute to Oakland, while the others continue north to Stockton Downtown/Cabral and continue north to Sacramento station.[22]

ACE service connects Stockton with San Jose via the Fresno, Oakland, Niles, and Coast subdivisions, incorporating the former Feather River Route through Altamont Pass. The ACE terminus in Stockton, Robert J. Cabral station (Downtown), is approximately 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from the Oakland-bound San Joaquins station on San Joaquin Street.

Merced Extension

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15km
10miles
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Merced Extension stations
1
Merced
2
Atwater (alternative)
3
Livingston
4
Turlock
5
Ceres
6
Modesto
7
Ripon
8
Downtown Manteca
9
North Lathrop

From east to west, the stations on the Merced Extension are:

Merced Extension stations[3]: 2-4 to 2-9 [12]: ES-11 
Station City Location Notes / Refs.
Merced Merced on R St between W 15th and W 16th
Atwater or Livingston Atwater near Applegate Rd / N Winton Way and Atwater Blvd (alternative)
Livingston Main St and SR 99
Turlock Turlock near North Front St / Golden State Blvd and Fulkerth Rd / W Hawkeye Ave
Ceres Ceres on Railroad Ave between Kinser Rd and Central Ave
Modesto Modesto at the existing Modesto Transportation Center, between I, K, 8th, and 9th
Ripon Ripon near Main St and SR 99
Downtown Manteca Manteca at the existing Manteca Transit Center, near S Main St and Moffat Blvd
North Lathrop Lathrop on land obtained from Sharpe Army Depot, near W Lathrop Rd and 7th St

The Lathrop Wye connection between the Fresno, Tracy, and Oakland subdivisions will be rebuilt as part of the first phase of the Merced Extension. Part of the reconstruction will include new at-grade crossings of the Fresno Subdivision at McKinley Avenue and S Airport Way.[11]: 5–1  In addition, approximately 51 mi (82 km) of the Fresno Subdivision from Manteca to Merced would be double-tracked, in some cases upgrading existing siding tracks to mainline service.[12]: 2–13 [3]: 2–10 

When the first segment of the Merced Extension is complete, the initial plans are to operate four daily roundtrip trains between Ceres and North Lathrop, starting from Ceres in the mornings, with most continuing westbound passengers transferring to San Jose-bound trains (originating from Stockton) at North Lathrop. A temporary bus bridge would be provided between Ceres and Merced.[3]: 2–20, 2–23, 2–25  Once the second segment is complete, the bus bridge between Ceres and Merced will be replaced by rail service. Four trains will originate from Merced instead of Ceres, of which three will run north to Natomas via North Lathrop station, where westbound passengers to San Jose would transfer. One train would run directly from Merced to San Jose. In the afternoons, three return trains would run from Natomas to Merced and one return train would run from San Jose to Merced.[12]: 2–28 

The Valley Link project will extend rail service east from Dublin/Pleasanton station, the terminus of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Blue Line; Valley Link will eventually terminate at the North Lathrop station, serving as a transfer point between Valley Link and ACE.[23]: 2–10  Dublin/Pleasanton is approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) north-northwest of the Pleasanton station currently served by ACE, and the Valley Link route generally would run parallel to and north of ACE between Pleasanton and Lathrop, using the median of I-580 west of Altamont Pass, the same Alameda County Transportation Corridor through the pass, and the Tracy Subdivision east of the pass.[23]: 2–12, 2–13, 2–15 

Sacramento Extension

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15km
10miles
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Sacramento Extension stations
1
Natomas/Sacramento Airport
2
Old North Sacramento
3
Midtown Sacramento
4
City College
5
Elk Grove
6
Lodi
7
Lodi South (alternative)

From north to south, the stations on the Sacramento Extension are:

Sacramento Extension stations[14]: ES-6 to ES-8 
Station City Location Notes / Refs.
Natomas / Sacramento Airport Sacramento near the intersection of Blacktop Rd and West Elkhorn Blvd
Old North Sacramento near Acoma St and El Monte Ave
Midtown Sacramento near Q St between 19th and 20th St
City College adjacent to the existing SacRT light rail City College station
Elk Grove Elk Grove originally near the existing SacRT Franklin station on Cosumnes River Blvd; relocated just north of Laguna Blvd [24]
Lodi Lodi near SR 12 and Devries Rd
near West Harney Ln and Devries Rd (Lodi South alternative)

When the Sacramento Extension is complete, San Joaquins and ACE both would add new trains. San Joaquins would add one roundtrip between Natomas and Fresno and another roundtrip between Natomas and Bakersfield.[14]: 2–21  ACE would add one train originating from Natomas in the mornings, traveling south and west to San Jose via Stockton, with a corresponding return trip from San Jose to Natomas via Stockton in the evenings.[14]: 2–21  In addition, with the completion of the first phase of the Merced Extension, trains originating from Ceres would travel north to Natomas via North Lathrop, returning in the evenings after storage and maintenance at Natomas. ACE also would operate one mid-day roundtrip from Natomas to Stockton and back.[14]: 2-21 to 2-22 

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i AECOM (September 2020). Final Environmental Impact Report: Valley Rail Sacramento Extension Project, SCH #2019090306 (PDF) (Report). Vol. 1. San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "North Valley Rail (booklet)" (PDF). Butte County Association of Governments. September 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "2: Description of Phase I Improvements" (PDF). Draft Environmental Impact Report: ACE Extension Lathrop to Ceres/Merced, State Clearinghouse #2018012014 (Report). San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. April 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "3: Description of Phase II Improvements" (PDF). Draft Environmental Impact Report: ACE Extension Lathrop to Ceres/Merced, State Clearinghouse #2018012014 (Report). San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. April 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  5. ^ San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission; California High-Speed Rail Authority (July 2022). Final Environmental Assessment: Stockton Diamond (PDF) (Report). Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "Madera Station Relocation Project fact sheet" (PDF). San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority. March 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "About the Oakley station" (PDF). Amtrak California. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  8. ^ Holland, John (September 1, 2019). "Forty trains a day through Altamont at up to 125 mph? It could happen, weary drivers". Modesto Bee. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  9. ^ ICF (April 2018). "1: Introduction" (PDF). Draft Environmental Impact Report: ACE Extension Lathrop to Ceres/Merced, State Clearinghouse #2018012014 (Report). San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  10. ^ ICF (April 2018). Draft Environmental Impact Report: ACE Extension Lathrop to Ceres/Merced, SCH #2018012014 (Report). San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  11. ^ a b ICF (July 2018). Final Environmental Impact Report: ACE Extension Lathrop to Ceres/Merced, SCH #2018012014 | Volume 1 (PDF) (Report). San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d ACE Ceres-Merced Extension Project: Draft Environmental Impact Report, SCH #2018012014 (Part 1 of 2) (PDF) (Report). Altamont Corridor Express. April 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  13. ^ ICF (November 2021). ACE Ceres-Merced Extension Project: Final Environmental Impact Report, SCH #2018012014 (PDF) (Report). Altamont Corridor Express. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e AECOM. Draft Environmental Impact Report: Valley Rail Sacramento Extension Project, SCH #2019090306 (PDF) (Report). Vol. 1. San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 30, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  15. ^ LSA (December 2021). Draft Environmental Impact Report: Elk Grove Station Project (PDF) (Report). San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  16. ^ LSA (March 2022). Final Environmental Impact Report: Elk Grove Station Project, State Clearinghouse No. 2021080045 (PDF) (Report). San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  17. ^ "Governor Newsom Announces Awards of $2.5 Billion for Public Transportation Projects Throughout California" (Press release). State of California. January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  18. ^ Holland, John (March 13, 2023). "ACE rail expansion runs late, just as Modesto readies its historic downtown depot". Modesto Bee. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  19. ^ Holland, John (June 20, 2024). "Construction begins on ACE rail branch to Stanislaus County, Merced. When will it arrive?". The Modesto Bee. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  20. ^ Wyatt, Dennis (December 26, 2023). "Lathrop Wye work, first step in major rail service upgrade, is going out to bid". Manteca / Ripon Bulletin. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  21. ^ "Lathrop Groundbreaking Ceremony Kicks Off Construction Phase for Valley Rail Program" (Press release). San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. June 20, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  22. ^ "The Train Service". Amtrak San Joaquins. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  23. ^ a b ICF; AECOM (December 2020). "2: Project Description" (PDF). Draft Environmental Impact Report: Valley Link, State Clearinghouse #2018092027 (Report). Tri-Valley—San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  24. ^ "Elk Grove Station". San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
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