PROJECT GOALS

Connect Communities 

 

Improve connectivity within the Northern California Megaregion,  connecting housing, people, and jobs

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New Rail Connections to the Valley​

 

Establish rail connectivity between BART’s rapid transit system and the Northern San Joaquin Valley

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Cost Effectiveness

 

Pursue project implementation that is fast, cost-effective, and responsive to the goals and objectives of the communities it will serve

 

Model Sustainability

 

Be a model of sustainability in the design, construction, and operation of the system

 

Support CA State Rail Plan

 

Support the vision of the California State Rail Plan to connect the Northern California Megaregion to the State rail system

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MEGAREGIONAL PROJECT NEED AND BENEFITS

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Addresses California’s Crises:

Climate

• Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Brings new riders to existing transit

• Provides resiliency in the transportation system

 

Housing Affordability

• Connects affordable housing in Northern San Joaquin Valley to higher paying jobs in Bay Area

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Racial Inequity and Income Inequality

• Serves one of the State’s most significant areas of California Climate Investments Priority Populations for both State designated disadvantage and low-income communities

• Creates new jobs and promotes economic recovery​

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Serving the Megaregion’s Economic Growth

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Promoting the Megaregion’s Growth Policies

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Supporting the Transition to Zero Emission Vehicles

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​Phase 1 – Dublin/Pleasanton to Mountain House

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• Board Approved Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) in 2023

• 22-miles of new track

• 4 Stations

• 15-min peak/ 30-min + off-peak period service

• Layover & Operations, Maintenance Facilities

• ZEMU Vehicle Technology

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Project Delivery Progress – Phase 1

FTA Project Development (PD)

• Approved entry into PD by FTA - May 2022

• Adopted D/P to Mountain House as Locally Preferred Alternative - April 2023

• Approved as NEPA Environmental Assessment (EA) Class of Action by FTA - September 2023

• 30% design completed - December 2024

• NEPA EA approved by FTA - May 2025

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Caltrans Project Approval and Environmental Document (PAED)

üPAED Cooperative Agreement signed - August 2022

üCEQA Subsequent EIR approved - October 2024

üEngineering technical studies completed - March 2025

üDraft of Project Report (PR) submitted to Caltrans - April 2025

üCM/GC Cooperative Agreement (PSE, ROW, Con) - Under development

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​Phase 1A to Vasco Road

MAP 1 - link to images

MAP 2

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Megaregional Connectivity with ACE

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Phase 1B to Mountain House

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Opportunities to Advance Phase 1B to Mountain House

• Support for additional local funding – New SJ County revenue initiative, land value capture, etc.

• Support for TOD planning – FTA grants, etc.

• Advance the Mountain House Regional Mobility Hub – BUILD grant application, other regional funding, etc.

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BOARD ACTIONS – JUNE 11, 2025

1. Approved consideration of a phased construction delivery strategy of the Valley Link – Dublin/Pleasanton to Mountain House (Phase 1) project with the initial phase from Dublin/Pleasanton to Vasco Road (Phase 1A) and the subsequent phase from Vasco Road to Mountain House (Phase 1B);

2. Approved consideration of the adoption of battery electric multiple unit (BEMU)rail vehicle technology to operate the Dublin/Pleasanton to Vasco Road (Phase 1A) project;

3. Directed staff to seek Federal Railroad Authority (FRA) jurisdiction determination for the Dublin/Pleasanton to Vasco Road (Phase 1A) project as an urban mass transit train control system; and

4. Directed staff to pursue opportunities to advance the Vasco Road to Mountain House (Phase 1B) project.​

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PROJECT ADVANCEMENT ACTIVITIES

Ongoing Partner Agency Coordination

• FTA – NEPA Re-Evaluation

• Caltrans – Project Report (PR)/Supplemental PR; CM/GC Cooperative Agreement(s);Construction Funding (SB1 SCCP Cycle 5)

• Cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton – Station Planning/Funding, Local Infrastructure Coordination; Community Engagement

• BART, LAVTA – System Interface, Station Access

• SJRRC, UPRR – Vasco Road Station Design/Connection

• ACTC, MTC, SJCOG – I-580 Express Lanes Reconstruction; Final Design Funding

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Project updates to support request to FTA for entry into Engineering

• Environmental Update (CEQA + NEPA)

• Design Update (including Caltrans Supplemental PR)

• Cost Estimate, Schedule and Financial Plan Update

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