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Home My WebLink AboutStaff Report 8370 City of Palo Alto (ID # 8370) City Council Rail Committee Staff Report Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 8/16/2017 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: Rail Program Briefing Paper from June-July 2017 Title: Receive and Review Rail Program Briefing Paper from June-July 2017 From: City Manager Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment Recommendation Staff recommends that the Rail Committee receive the attached Rail Program briefing paper from June-July 2017. Background and Discussion The Rail Program Manager will provide a monthly briefing report to the Rail Committee, which provides a summary of all recent meetings related to the City of Palo Alto Rail Program and highlights any relevant issues for the Rail Committee. The briefing report for June-July 2017 is attached. The period covered in this report is June 14 to August 2, 2017. Timeline, Resource Impact, Policy Implications, Environmental Review N/A Attachments:  Attachment A - Rail Program Briefing Paper June-July 2017  Attachment B - FY2018 Adopted Budget Alameda Corridor-East  Attachment C - Presentation Samtrans Dumbarton Corridor Transportation Study Update  Attachment D - June 2017 Invoice 372569-9 Page 1 of 3 TO: City Council Rail Committee THRU: James Keene, City Manager FROM: Joshuah Mello, Chief Transportation Official SUBJECT: Rail Program Briefing Paper: June 15 to August 2, 2017 DATE: August 4, 2017 Below is a summary of Rail Program activity since the preparation of the last Rail Program Briefing Paper on June 14, 2017. 1. Connecting Palo Alto ‐ Community Workshop #2 Staff has reserved the Palo Alto Arts Center Auditorium on September 16, 2017 for Community Workshop #2. The focus of CW2 will be to review the Council‐adopted Problem Statement, Objectives and Evaluation Criteria and begin the development of Alternatives. More information on the draft Problem Statement, Objectives and Evaluation Criteria is included in a separate agenda item. 2. Connecting Palo Alto ‐ Community Workshop #3 Staff has tentatively reserved the Palo Alto Arts Center Auditorium on October 21, 2017 for Community Workshop #3. The focus of CW3 is proposed to be the discussion of the evaluation of Alternatives. The date, format and purpose of this proposed workshop will be discussed at a later Rail Committee meeting. 3. Community Questionnaire #1 After receiving feedback from the Rail Committee on June 28, 2017, staff developed and released an online Community Questionnaire designed to garner feedback on the draft Problem Statement, Objectives and Evaluation Criteria. The questionnaire was created using the web‐based tool SurveyMonkey and included seven questions. The questionnaire was open from July 5 to July 19, 2017, a total of 14 days. In total, 791 unique questionnaire responses were received over this period with a completion rate of 98%. More information on the Community Questionnaire is included in a separate agenda item. 4. Measure B Caltrain Grade Separation Program Meeting On August 2, 2017, Staff attended a meeting at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to discuss the Measure B Caltrain Grade Separation Program. Director Hillary Gitelman and Chief Transportation Official Joshuah Mello represented the City, while Deputy Director Jim Unites, Senior Management Analyst Jane Shinn, and Transportation Planner Jason Kim represented the VTA. The meeting began with a discussion of the current draft Measure B Caltrain Grade Separation Program Memorandum PLANNING & COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORTATION DIVISION Page 2 of 3 Guidelines. City Staff reiterated their concern regarding the clause: “Funds will be allocated to the most cost effective grade separation alternatives.” It was suggested that the language be changed to state: “Funds will be allocated to projects that cost effectively utilize Measure B funding.” At the suggesting of VTA staff, City Staff will be consulting on the guideline language with representatives from Mountain View and Sunnyvale in advance of the next Technical Advisory Committee scheduled for August 9 and the next VTA Board meeting scheduled for September 7, 2017. The VTA Board is expected to finalize the guidelines at this meeting, assuming that the pending lawsuit against Measure B is resolved by then. VTA is currently preparing an RFP for the development of an Implementation Plan for the Measure B Caltrain Grade Separation Program and expects to release it before the end of this year, with work commencing by early 2018. This Implementation Plan will be developed cooperatively with the cities of Palo Alto, Mountain View and Sunnyvale and Caltrain, and will provide a blueprint for the delivery of all eight grade separations over the 30‐year lifespan of the Measure B sales tax. It is intended to be a technical plan, and will not duplicate the grade separation planning and design work that local agencies are advancing. VTA staff is open to creative solutions, where, for example, an existing grade crossing may be closed and replaced with a bicycle and pedestrian over/undercrossing nearby. There also seems to be the opportunity to invest varying amounts of Measure B funding on specific grade crossings, depending on the preferred alternative for each. VTA staff clarified that the local agencies will likely not be required to apply for the state Section 190 grade separation list until their project(s) is ready for construction. In the past, CPUC staff has stated that there is really no benefit to being on the Section 190 list unless a project is ready to move into the construction phase upon reaching the top. 5. Dumbarton Transportation Corridor Study Update In 1994, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority financed the purchase of the Dumbarton rail corridor (extending from Redwood Junction to Newark) by SamTrans. Shortly thereafter, the authority, along with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Alameda County Transportation Commission, and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority funded an environmental review process to evaluate new rail service on the Dumbarton rail bridge. However, due to insufficient funding for proposed improvements, the environmental review process was put on hold in 2014. In late 2015, SamTrans and Facebook forged a partnership to comprehensively study what can be done to alleviate congestion in this vital east‐west corridor. In January 2016, the SamTrans Board of Directors approved the execution of a funding agreement with Facebook to receive $1 million to complete the Dumbarton Transportation Corridor Study. In March 2017, the SamTrans Board approved an additional $200,000 in funding from Facebook to supplement the scope of work and provide additional funding for staff time. SamTrans has recently completed a draft of the Dumbarton Transportation Corridor Study, which documents how to improve mobility and reduce congestion in the Dumbarton Corridor between Alameda, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The study has evaluated a variety of transportation alternatives on the Dumbarton Bridge (Highway 84) and its approaches, as well as examined how to rehabilitate and repurpose the Dumbarton rail bridge for transit purposes. The study recommends both operational and infrastructure improvements on State Route 84 and the Dumbarton rail bridge that will be phased over time. As such, the study identifies short‐, medium‐ and long‐term transportation alternatives that contribute to the ultimate vision for a multi‐modal corridor. SamTrans has worked collaboratively with project partners including Facebook, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), and AC Transit. The cities in the corridor Page 3 of 3 have also been engaged as major stakeholders in the project. The study commenced in late February 2016. The presentation given to the SamTrans Board of Directors on August 3, 2017 is attached. A public comment period for the draft will begin on August 15 and close on September 29, 2017. Staff will be attending the Agency Stakeholder Meeting hosted by SamTrans in Menlo Park on August 16, 2017. 6. San Gabriel Valley Railroad Trench The Alameda Corridor‐East Construction Authority recently opened the San Gabriel Trench in Los Angeles County. The 2.2‐mile San Gabriel Trench railroad grade‐separation project included lowering a 1.4‐mile section of Union Pacific railroad track into a 30‐foot‐deep, 65‐foot‐wide trench through the City of San Gabriel with bridges constructed at Ramona Street, Mission Road, Del Mar Avenue and San Gabriel Boulevard, allowing motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians to pass over the tracks. The rail line returns to grade east of San Gabriel Boulevard, which has been raised less than two feet due to the track elevation. The railroad crossing at Walnut Grove Avenue remains at‐grade and includes a shallow lowering of the roadway to match the proposed railroad grade. The total cost of the trench was $312.7 million according to the FY2018 Adopted Budget for the Alameda Corridor‐East Construction Authority, which is attached for reference. This document includes information regarding the San Gabriel Trench project and a break‐down of the funding source for all of the authority’s grade‐separation projects. More information is available here: http://www.theaceproject.org/ 7. Expenditures to Date The most recent invoice from our Rail Program Management Consultant is attached. Dumbarton Transportation Corridor Study SPD&S Committee August 2, 2017 Agenda Item # 4 Two Bridges 2 Complex Corridor 3 Headlines •Corridor requires phased improvements •Solutions require consensus, other approvals −Rail bridge: FTA, Coast Guard, Union Pacific, etc. −Highway bridge: Caltrans, MTC/BATA −Approaches: Caltrans, cities •Funding challenges/opportunities −Public funding, private sector, P3 financing •Other challenges/value −Environmental, connecting to other rail lines 4 Comparative Analysis of Alternatives •Enhance mobility •Cost effectiveness •Minimize environmental impacts, financial risk and maximize safety •Protect local communities from adverse impacts 5 Alternatives Studied and Draft Recommendations 6 7 2020: Bus and Approach Improvements on Highway Bridge •Short-term (2020) −Expand Dumbarton Express bus on Highway Bridge −Approach improvements •Impact −$51m capital, $12m O/M −13,700 daily transbay riders (34% increase) 8 2020: Bus and Approach Improvements (Recommended) •Short-term (2020) •Bike/ped multi-use path from Redwood City to East Palo Alto −Overpasses at Willow, Marsh, University, US-101 •Impact −$60m capital (includes overpasses at Willow, Marsh, University and US-101), ~$120m O/M 9 2020: Bike/Ped Path on Rail ROW Recommendations 2020 •Expand Dumbarton Express bus including new routes to Menlo Park/Redwood City and Mountain View/Sunnyvale •Approach improvements •Impacts −$51m capital, $12m O/M −34% increase in transit −Involved entities: AC Transit, ACTC, MTC, Caltrans, cities, etc. •Not recommending bike/ped multi-use path due to rail right-of-way (ROW) limitations 10 11 2025-2030: Bus and Approach Improvements on Highway Bridge 2025-2030: Express Lanes on Highway Bridge 12 Reversible express lanes 4/2 One express lane per direction 3/3 2025-2030: Bus, Approach and Express Lanes (Recommended) •Mid-term (2025) −Convert #1 lane to toll lane in each direction −More approach improvements east and west bay (flyovers, grade separations, etc.) −Connect rail ROW to US 101 via flyover •Long-term (2030) −Further enhanced Dumbarton Express bus •Impact −$849m capital, $20m O/M in mid-term −$82m capital, $14m O/M in long-term −~21,300 daily transbay riders (147% increase)13 14 2025-2030: Rail Shuttle on Rail Bridge 2025-2030: Rail Shuttle on Rail Bridge (Recommended) •Mid-term (2025) −New double-tracked rail service from Redwood City (RWC) to Newark, not “interlined” at Caltrain •Long-term (2030) −Further extend rail to Union City •Impact −$975m capital, $23m O/M (for Rail Shuttle to Newark) in mid-term −Additional $295m capital, $32m O/M (to extend to Union City) in long-term −~15,600 daily transbay riders (81% increase) 15 •Also looked at operating an exclusive busway on Rail Bridge •Mid- to long-term (2025-2030) −No dedicated lanes in East Bay •Impact −$615m capital, $14m O/M −~18,600 daily transbay riders (116% increase) •Not recommended if express lanes are constructed on Highway Bridge 16 2025-2030: Busway on Rail Bridge Recommendations 2025 •Improve the Highway Bridge and Approaches −One express lane in each direction −More approach improvements east and west bay (flyovers, grade separations, etc.) −Buses use ROW to US-101 flyover •Rail service on the Rail Bridge −Rail Shuttle to Newark (double-tracked bridge) •Impact −$1.8b capital, $44m O/M −Involved entities: Caltrain, UP, ACTC, MTC, Caltrans, STB, cities, etc. 17 Recommendations 2030 •Further enhanced Dumbarton Express bus service •Extended rail service −Rail Shuttle from Newark to Union City •Impact −$377m capital (in addition to $1.8b in 2025), $46m O/M −Involved entities: Caltrain, UP, ACTC, MTC, Caltrans, STB, cities, etc. 18 2035: Rail Commuter on Rail Bridge, Double-Track 19 2035: Rail Commuter on Rail Bridge, Double-Track (Recommended) •Longer-term (2035 or beyond) −Interline with Caltrain −Better connect to ACE, Capitol Corridor •Impact −$327m additional capital, $38m O/M −~23,300 daily transbay riders (270% increase) paired with express lanes on Highway Bridge −Involved entities: AC Transit, Caltrain, UP, ACE, Capitol Corridor, MTC, etc. 20 Funding Challenges & Opportunities 21 •Use existing local funding: Measure A (San Mateo County), BB (Alameda County) •Seek state, regional funding: SB1, RM3, etc. •Solicit private contributions •Pursue federal, state grants and financing •Explore value capture •Identify project elements attractive for P3 •Consider other alternative packages or phasing based on available funding •Partnerships: ACE, State, Caltrans, etc. Next Steps 22 •August: −SamTrans Board briefing −Stakeholder and public outreach •October: −Finalize report −SamTrans Board consideration 23 Comments/Questions City of Palo Alto P O Box 10250 Palo Alto, CA 94303 Date Issued Invoice No 372569-9 MM Project # 372569 Contract # C16163563 The enclosed Project Invoice covers costs from 5/27/17 - 6/30/17 Percent of Budget Budget Prior Billing Current Charges Billed to date Expended Remaining Budget 161,684.40$ 66,589.88$ 2,067.48$ 68,657.36$ 42.5% 93,027.04$ Task 2 - Convene Rail Technical Group 48,960.80$ -$ -$ -$ 0.0% 48,960.80$ 137,289.82$ 7,156.29$ -$ 7,156.29$ 5.2% 130,133.53$ 218,349.08$ 141,531.55$ 15,088.49$ 156,620.04$ 71.7% 61,729.04$ 397,531.63$ 84,193.22$ 19,855.78$ 104,049.00$ 26.2% 293,482.63$ 240,395.46$ -$ -$ -$ 0.0% 240,395.46$ 224,406.91$ -$ -$ -$ 0.0% 224,406.91$ 28,398.30$ -$ -$ -$ 0.0% 28,398.30$ Task 9 - Additional Tasks/Meetings 110,367.40$ 16,407.16$ 469.36$ 16,876.52$ 15.3% 93,490.88$ Totals 1,567,383.80$ 315,878.10$ 37,481.11$ 353,359.21$ 22.5%1,214,024.59$ DUE AND PAYABLE THIS INVOICE:37,481.11$ 7/14/2017 Project Title: City of Palo Alto Rail PM Services MM PM: Michele DiFrancia Task 1 - Support Council Rail Committee INVOICE DETAIL Phase/Task Description Task 3 - Represent City during CHSR Environmental Analysis Phase Task 4 - Manage Rail Corridor Circulation Study Task 5 - Manage Context Sensitive Solution Alternative Analysis Task 6 - Prepare Draft & Final Project Study Reports & 15% Plan Sets Task 7 - Complete Environmental Analysis for Preferred Alternatives Task 8 - Financing Plans DocuSign Envelope ID: AD7A14AD-A5FC-4AD4-B742-C586A947FE0D 7/27/2017 PL-17001-030 31990