The economic growth and increase in population in the San Francisco Bay Area and Interstate-80 corridor has driven the need to reduce impacts on the environment and economic costs of traffic congestion. California transportation agencies, both on the State and regional level, have recognized the importance of expanding passenger rail services as an alternative to automobile transportation. The development and growth of both transit and intercity rail programs continue to be priorities in the State’s transportation planning agenda and in the State Rail Plan.
The purpose of the project is to expand Capitol Corridor service between Sacramento and Roseville from its current single daily round trip (two trains per day) to up to 10 daily round trips (20 trains total), while preserving current freight operations and reliability within the corridor.
To maintain the on-going safety and viability of UPRR’s freight services while increasing Capitol Corridor passenger service, infrastructure improvements will be required along the 17.8 mile corridor connecting Sacramento to Roseville.
PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS:
1. Construction of a third mainline track along the north side of the existing two-track mainline
2. A layover facility just northeast of the Roseville station on UPRR right-of-way
CONSTRUCTION OF THIRD TRACK WILL REQUIRE:
1. New structures within the existing UPRR right-of-way
2. Placement of new rail, ties, switches, turnouts and crossovers
3. New railroad signals
4. Utility relocation
5. Retaining walls, crash walls, and bridge over Dry Creek
The proposed alignment was environmentally analyzed and cleared as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to identify all impacts and establish clear mitigations prior to moving forward. The CEQA lead agency was CCJPA. The environmental analysis kicked off in summer 2014 and was completed in 2015.
The preliminary cost to construct Phase 1 of the Third Main Track Project is approximately $140 million, and the funding strategy is in progress. CCJPA will use a number of different funding sources to construct the project. These include local, regional, State, and possible Federal sources.
