Preliminary Alternatives Analysis Caltrain Modernization & High Speed Train Projects City of Millbrae Dominic Spaethling Regional Program Manager Bethany Williams Public Involvement Manager, HNTB April 28, 2010
Agenda Meeting Objective : Understand characteristics of preliminary alternatives Open House Presentation Question and Answer Open House
Results Achieved by Improvements 2000 to 2008 98 trains per day / 5 peak hour Three types of service Express Baby Bullet SF-SJ in under 60 minutes Limited Local (Off Peak Only) Diesel push-pull service 46,000 riders per weekday 2,600 bicycles per weekday
The Challenge: Planning for the Future Infrastructure, signal system, and diesel vehicle technology limit capacity Tripled demand from regional growth, Transbay Transit Center and HSR Majority of fleet due for replacement by 2015 Uncertain funding commitment or sources
European-Style Rolling Stock Safer Train Design Main energy absorber Caltrain 2025 Maximum Speed Positive Train Control Improved Headway Grade Crossing Improvements Safety Improved By Speed Enforcement Improved Operating Speed and Journey Time Manual Control of Train Speed Limited Speed Med. Speed
European-Style Rolling Stock Safer Train Design Main energy absorber NO FUNDING Maximum Speed Positive Train Control Improved Headway Grade Crossing Improvements Safety Improved By Speed Enforcement Improved Operating Speed and Journey Time Manual Control of Train Speed Limited Speed Med. Speed
Largest Public Transportation Project in U.S. History 800 miles of new track + stations and related structures $40+ billion in planning and construction costs State, federal, local, and private partnership 10 years for Phase 1 build-out (includes SF SJ) Safely grade-separated 100% clean electric power
Why does CA need the High-Speed Train Project? California s population expected to jump by 30% 12 million people by 2030 Rising gas prices Reduced greenhouse gases Maintain a robust economy
How does California benefit? Jobs: 450,000 new jobs by 2035 600,000 construction jobs (1 year jobs) Reduce the $20B lost each year to congestion in fuel and time costs. HST uses 1/3 the energy of air travel HST uses 1/5 the energy of passenger cars Reduce dependence on foreign oil by 12.7 million barrels per year Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12 billion pounds per year
Different Systems; Common Needs Electrified System Vehicles High performing with crash energy management X X X X Positive Train Control Grade Crossing Improvement Grade Separated System X X X X
A New Partnership: The Peninsula Rail Program Caltrain (JPB) - CHSRA MOU in March/April 2009 Peninsula Rail Corridor - joint development of ONE Program
Project Schedule 2010 2011 1. Prelim. Alternatives Analysis -- Spring 2010 2. Stations -- Spring/Summer 2010 3. 15% Engineering & Costs Summer 2010 Alternatives Dev. 4. Draft EIR/S -- Dec. 2010 5. Public Comment Dec. 2010 Feb. 2011 6. Final EIR/S Summer 2011 Draft EIR/S 7. NOD/ROD September 2011 8. 30% Engineering Final EIR/S
Role of Alternatives Analysis Define a range of reasonable, practicable, and feasible project study alternatives Present these alternatives to the CHSRA Board, the FRA and the public for feedback
Planning Assumptions Stay within existing Caltrain Right of Way Four track, grade separated system HST up to 125 MPH and Caltrain up to 110 MPH Opportunity for joint operations
Planning Assumptions Improve Caltrain Service Shared High Speed & Caltrain Stations San Francisco, Millbrae (SFO), San Jose Potential high-speed train stop: Redwood City Palo Alto Mountain View
Additional Considerations Based on Feedback Evaluate the use of berms especially in commercial or residential areas Additional tunnel options Evaluate San Francisco terminal options
Feedback from Millbrae Support HSR multi-modal station in Millbrae Support implementation of the Millbrae BART Station Specific Plan Study and mitigate impacts to the Community Avoid 4 track on grade alignment and ROW impacts Traffic, circulation and parking studies Urban design and land use Alternative mode station access Economic development and tax revenues Coordinated and transparent process with City Staff, elected officials and public
WHAT IS DESIRED THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION WHAT IS FEASIBLE WHAT IS ACHIEVABLE
Findings Caltrain corridor is preferred alignment San Francisco joint terminal solution: Transbay Transit Center and 4th and King Limit use of high berms Tunnel options added Ending High Speed Train service in San Jose would negatively impact Caltrain and its riders, and does not meet Prop. 1A requirements.
AERIAL AT CALTRAIN GRADE TRENCH/CUT & COVER Caltrain HST DEEP TUNNEL High Speed Trains
Aerial Viaduct COLOR CODE: WIDTH: approx. 80 105 feet PROS: Improved or New East/West Connections, Narrow Width, Benefits to Riders, Constructability CONS: Visual Impact, Noise Impact
Existing Caltrain Grade COLOR CODE: WIDTH: approx. 95 105 feet PROS: Benefits to Riders, Constructability CONS: Larger Impacts to Properties on East/West Roads at Grade Crossings
Trench COLOR CODE: WIDTH: approx. 100 feet PROS: Limited Visual Impact, Limited Ventilation Needs CONS: Doesn t Improve Connectivity, Potential Impacts to Waterways and Utilities, Cost, Right of Way Needs
Cut & Cover COLOR CODE: WIDTH: approx. 100 140 feet PROS: Limited Visual Impact, Improved Connectivity CONS: Requires Ventilation System, Potential Impacts to Waterways and Utilities, Cost, Right of Way Needs
Deep Bored Tunnel HST ONLY COLOR CODE: WIDTH: approx. 70 115 feet PROS: Limited Visual Impact of HST, Limited Noise Impact of HST CONS: Cost, Fire & Life Safety Issues, Centralized Noise Impacts at Vent Shafts, No Upgrades to Caltrain
RESULTS INITIAL Single Option AERIAL AT GRADE TRENCH/ C&C
RESULTS Single Option AERIAL AT GRADE TRENCH/ C&C
Community Engagement Process Cities Stakeholders Communities Review C Inform G Outreach Present B D Input Opportunity F Report Back Design Team A Prepare Draft Deliverable E Revise
Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) Collaborative engagement of communities Balance Desirability, Feasibility, and Achievability Design transit facilities that fit setting Preserve and enhance scenic, aesthetic, historic and environmental resources Enhance safety and mobility Promote transit-oriented development and sustainable, livable communities
What is in the Toolkit? Reference Documents Context and technical information Exercises Provide input to project team and TWG/PWG members at each step of the process Exercise #1: Mapping the Context Exercise #2: Grade Separation / Vertical Options More Exercises will be released http://www.caltrain.com/peninsularailprogram_csst oolkit.html
Next Steps Continue to gather feedback Stitch Corridor together 15% Design & Cost Estimates Stations Planning Environmental Studies Draft EIR/EIS, December 2010
WHAT IS DESIRED THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION WHAT IS FEASIBLE WHAT IS ACHIEVABLE
For More Information Email prp@caltrain.com and ask to be added to our email list. Peninsula Rail Program www.caltrain.com/peninsularailprogram.html California High-Speed Rail Authority www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov