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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12031991 - S.1 r S. 1 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this order on December 3 , 1991 by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Fanden, McPeak, Torlakson, Powers NOES: None ABSENT: Supervisor Schroder ABSTAIN: None SUBJECT Fatal Flaw Analysis of the Consolidated Corridor Study On recommendation of Supervisor Powers, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the memorandum dated November l,. 1991, from Dexter Roberson, regarding the Fatal Flaw Analysis of the Consolidated Corridor Study (attached) is REFERRED to the Transportation Committee. 1 hereby certlfy that this Is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Super/vj rs on the date shown. ATTESTED. PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator cc: Director, CDD Transportation- Cte. By `C� ,Deputy County Administrator C s ----.-.. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ..oma CONTRA COSTA COUNTY oi, _tilNiuNP , b TOM POWERS \ yti4 SUPERVISOR,FIRST DISTRICT nOST- C---- - Memorandum To: Tom Fr: Dexter Roberson Re: Fatal Flaw Analysis of the Consolidated Corridor Study Date: 11/1/91 The fatal flaw analysis of the Alameda Contra Costa Rail Consolidation Study has been completed. The purpose of the analysis was to determine if there were any issues or conditions that might halt the continuation of the study. The analysis has shown that there are no issues or conditions that are so formidable that it would thwart the implementation of the study goals . Study Goals 1 . Free up or identify additional rail capacity for commuter rail service within Contra Costa County. 2 . Increase the Port of Oakland's competitive advantage by increasing the number of rail carriers with direct access to the Port. 3 . Reduce congestion and improve air quality on Interstate 80 by reducing truck and automobile traffic. Commuter Rail To free up rail capacity for commuter rail service, the study examined the feasibility of moving all freight traffic from either the SP or SF and consolidating it onto either of the rail lines . However, the study concluded that moving freight traffic from one line to the other offers no advantages to the railroads freight operations or potential Contra Costa commuter service. Moreover, the study has determined that there is sufficient physical capacity on the SP to accommodate both freight and 100-37th STREET, ROOM 270, RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA 94805 • TELEPHONE (415)374-3231 6 commuter rail service. In light of the absence of physical impediments to developing commuter rail service, the consultants focused their efforts to determine if there were any operational or institutional barriers to the development of commuter service on the SP. In short, the SP is open to the development of commuter rail service and see no operational problems with commuter rail service. Port Access The fatal flaw analysis shows that there are no insuperable physical, operational, or institutional barriers to bring Santa Fe into the Port of Oakland. The SP is willing to allow SF trackage use rights to get into the port. This cooperative spirit is conditioned on the development of a scenario that would give all rail carriers equal access to the port in the way of a common use facility. This common use facility is possible and is a concept that has surfaced at the port in the past. It failed previously because the SP did not support it. It appears the SP is now willing to pursue this concept because it could spread the maintenance cost between SF and UP. Congestion & Air Quality The development of Commuter Rail service from Eastern Contra Costa to Oakland and direct railaccess for. SF into the Port of Oakland would remove a significant number of automobiles and trucks from I- 80 . This would result in reduced congestion and improved air quality. The Next Phase The next phase of the study will outline various operating scenarios for commuter rail service and a common use facility for the port. This should provide us with a view of how commuter rail service would be configured and how the port might design and operate a joint use facility for the railroads . Funding The Consolidated Rail Corridor Study is beginning to blend with the Contra Costa Rail study. The next phase of the study will examine the potential structure of commuter rail service from Contra Costa County to Oakland. Because this study is consistent with the Contra Costa study and with the use of the PVEA money (removing commuters from their cars to commuter trains saves energy) , the remaining cost of the study should be paid for with the PVEA funds .