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Contra
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Costa
FROM: TOM POWERS, DISTRICT 1 SUPERVISOR Cour
DATE: November 2 , 1993
SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting Consideration of Commuter Rail in the Regional
Transportation Plan
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve a resolution (see Exhibit A) supporting consideration of
BART's FASTRAK proposal or' similar commuter rail service for the
Regional Transportation Plan Track 1 environmental evaluation, and
authorize the Chair of the . Board of Supervisors to transmit the
resolution to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and other ,
affected parties.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None.
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
BART staff has developed an innovative proposal called FASTRAK (see
Exhibit B) , that could provide up to 200 miles of regional commuter
rail service to communities in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa,
Solano, and San Joaquin counties using existing railroad rights-of-
way as an interim service until further expansion of the BART
system can be completed. FASTRAK has the lowest cost-per-mile of
any new rail service proposal in the Bay Area, and would link job
and housing markets where significant growth in anticipated in the
next 20 years.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) declined to
include the FASTRAK proposal in the environmental evaluation of the
1994 update of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) . BART staff
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: XX YES SIGNATURE
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE (S)
ACTION OF BOARD ON November 2, 1993 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
The. Board referred this matter as well- as the Planning Conservation League gas tax
proposal for rail programs in California to the Transportati-orr-Committee.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN
AYES: I, I I, I V, V NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: III MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
Contact:
Orig: ATTESTED November 2, 1993
cc: Community Development Department PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF
Legislative Delegation (via CDD) THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MTC Commissioners (via CDD) AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
CCTA (via CDD)
BART (via CDD) BYi DEPUTY
GEBROC (via CDD) 1.4
I
1994 Regional Transportation Plan Track 1 Environmental Evaluation
November 2, 1993
Page Two
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS (continued)
has been working with the Greater East Bay Rail Opportunities Coalition and other
interested parties in developing support for a reconsideration of FASTRAK or
similar commuter rail service in the environmental evaluation of the RTP. The
Commission will be finalizing the alternatives to be evaluated in the RTP during
the next two weeks. All interested parties have been requested to adopt
resolutions of support for this concept as soon as possible and communicate this
support to MTC.
Consideration of commuter rail in the RTP is consistent with the County General
Plan and prior action by the Board of Supervisors. The RTP environmental
evaluation is the only process where the regional benefits of a commuter rail
system can be evaluated. Any decision regarding implementation of commuter rail
can only occur after the results of this regional assessment are evaluated.
With the short time frame available to act on this request, I am requesting that
the Board act on this at the November 2 meeting, rather than refer it to the
Transportation Committee.
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IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF
CONTRA, COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
SUBJECT: Consideration of Bart's FASTRAK )
Proposal for Track 1 Environmental )
Evaluation in Regional Transportation )
Plan (RTP) )
RESOLUTION NO. 93/ 658
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County RESOLVES THAT:
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the regional transportation
planning agency for the San Francisco Bay Area pursuant to Government Code Section 66500 et
seq; and
WHEREAS, the MTC is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the nine
county San Francisco Bay Area region under Federal law by the Governor of California; and
WHEREAS, MTC has responsibility of preparing a Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which
sets forth regional priorities for transportation development, in both the near term and long term;
and
WHEREAS, under guidelines prescribed by the Intermodel Surface Transportation Efficiency
Act of 1991 (ISTEA), MTC, as the MPO, is required to prepare a 1994 RTP that identifies
transportation projects, programs and services, recommended for implementation over a twenty
year period (1993-2013); and
WHEREAS, MTC is preparing a two track RTP, with Track 1 showing transportation projects,
programs and services funded with revenues generated from existing sources over a twenty-year
period; and Track 2 identifying transportation projects, programs and services whose funding
requirements exceed the funding available for implementation and operation of the Track 1 projects,
programs and services; and
WHEREAS, MTC will use the transportation projects, programs, and services listed in Track
1 as a basis for environmental evaluation and selection of a preferred alternative for the Regional
Transportation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) has developed an
innovative proposal (FASTRAK) that could provide up to 200 miles of regional commuter rail service
to communities in Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Joaquin Counties using existing railroad
rights-of-way as an interim service until the full expansion of the BART system can be completed;
and
WHEREAS, the MTC Work Program Committee, on September 17, 1993, declined to include
the proposal in Track 1 of the RTP; and
WHEREAS, the RTP environmental evaluation is the only process available to evaluate the
potential effectiveness of operating reasonably feasible alternatives such a commuter rail on a
regional basis, and can provide essential information for further debate on the application of this
alternative through specific corridors and communities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
supports further evaluation of BART's FASTRAK proposal as a RTP Track 1 project alternative for
the environmental review process;
RESOLUTION NO. 93/ 658
Consideration of BART's FASTRAK
Proposal for Track 1 Environmental
Evaluation in the RTP
Continued - Page Two
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors hereby requests that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission include the
FASTRAK proposal, or a similar commuter rail concept, in the Track 1 environmental evaluation for
the RTP in order to allow a full and fair debate on the merits of regional commuter rail service;
AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors hereby
requests MTC and BART to cooperate with affected Congestion Management Agencies, cities, and
counties, in reviewing the information developed from the RTP environmental evaluation and
prepare additional details on implementing commuter rail service where it would be cost-effective
for consideration in adoption of the RTP.
PASSED by the following vote of the Board of Supervisors on the 2nd day of November, 1993:
AYES: Supervisors Powers, Smith, McPeak and Torlakson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Supervisor Bishop
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of an order entered on the minutes of
the Board of Supervisors on the date aforesaid.
Contact: Supervisor Tom Powers (510/374-3231)
cc: Community Development Department (CDD) Witness my hand and the Seal of the
Legislative Delegation (via CDD) Board of Supervisors affixed on this
MTC Commissioners (via CDD) 2nd day of November_, 1993.
CCTA (via CDD)
BART (via CDD) Phil Batchelor, Clerk of the Board of
GEBROC (via CDD) Supervisors and County Administrator
By:
Dep ty Clerk
i
RESOLUTION NO. 93L658
f Exhibit B
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That's Why We're Taking THE FAST TRACK.
BART has developed a strategy for implementing an interim regional rail
system within the next two years. This strategy—called
P,
' THE FAST TRACK—is a cost-efficient approach for achieving regional
commuter rail service immediately. Consistent with the regional policy for
fail �"eqell new rail starts and the priorities of the BART Extension Program,
ars (;Oole THE FAST TRACK uses available funding sources and the existing rail
1 infrastructure to provide a near-term response to regional transit needs
while keeping long-term planning and construction on-track.
ie
The centerpiece of THE FAST TRACK is a new Commuter Rail Service
that uses existing rights-of-way and infrastructure. Three new Commuter
Rail Lines will link directly with the existing BART system at numerous
intermodal stations,creating a nearly instantaneous regional commuter
rail system. The new lines will add more than 200 miles of active track to
the regional rail system,will serve more than 3.5 million passengers a
year,and will be fully operable within two years.
uilding a regional rail network takes time and THE FAST TRACK offers multiple advantages:
1 money. Planning,design,engineering,and con-
Astructionn require the efforts of hundreds of people • We won't have to wait 20 years for the"big bang" of new rail coming
and significant capital financing. Add in the complexities online. Instead,the Bay Area's regional rail systemwill evolve over
of political decisionmaking and budget constraints,and its easy to see time. Building on existing infrastructure and land use densities,itwill be
why rail systems can take years—even decades—to cora online. able to adapt and expand as conditions change and ridership grows.
BART knows. It began planning extensions to Pittsburg/Antioch, • Thousands of commuters will enjoy comfortable and convenient rail
Colma,Dublin/Pleasanton,and Warm Springs in the 1970s. transportation as they wait for completion of the BART Extensions
Construction didn't begin until 1991—and won't be finished until the projects. They will see progress,not promises.
year 2002,when the extension to the San Francisco airport is completed.
• The Commuter Rail will connect directly with the existing BART
In total,these projects will add 34.5 miles of new BART tracks and system,increasing BART ridership and helping the Bay Area develop its
11 new BART stations at a cost of nearly$2.6 billion. "transit habit."
BART is already planning the next two phases of projects,including • Alameda,Contra Costa,Santa Clara,San Francisco,and San Mateo
extensions to West Contra Costa,East Contra Costa,Livermore,and counties will at last be linked in a fully-integrated network of regional rail.
the South Bay. However,funding for these projects has not been
secured yet and they will not become reality for many years. The total • Existing infrastructure and resources will be put to valuable and
price tag for completing these projects will be in the billions of dollars. immediate public use.
Meanwhile,thousands of commuters wait for the day when they can
• More people on trains means fewer people in cars,resulting in
leave their congested commutes behind.
less congestion,less air pollution,and fewer frustrated commuters.
Taxpayers have strongly supported BART and other rail projects in the . Intermodal Transit Stations will finally link all of the Bay Area's major
Bay Area and they are excited by the opportunities provided by new transit systems in a single network,including BART,Caffrain,Amtrak,
rail lines. But they are impatient,frustrated,and angry when they MUNI,AC Transit,Santa Clara Transit(light rail and buses),SamTrans,
must spend millions of dollars up front and wait up to twenty years to County Connection,Central Contra Costa Transit,Tri-Delta Transit,
see any benefit. They want a regional rail network online today. Golden Gate Transit,WestCat,LAVTA,Union City Transit,transit systems
in San Joaquin and Solano counties,and all three international airports.
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THE FAST TRACK will provide a regional
rail system with immediate benefits to
the entire Bay Area—less congestion, r
less air pollution,increased mobility and j
productivity, more jobs,and an overall
improvement in the quality of life. It will.
1 also save money by accelerating the
timetables on a number of
BART extension projects.
Per passenger mile, the cost to achieve
the system described on these pages is
extremely modest because
THE FAST TRACK makes use of existing
Hercules 1 . 1 1 infrastructure and rights-of-way.
artinezet
`. With THE FAST TRACK,.the Bay Area
x` vvtll acquire more,than.200 miles pf newRichm1
1 11 1 1 1 s pass
Antioch rail track,more than
million new rail passengers a.year,
f new In TianslrStations
Walnut Creekand other,improverrnents ti?at wilfmake
Brentwood r rail transportation a vrable option for
San
` West Oaktnd thousands Francisco of BayArea'cgmmuters
` f�
in less than tvv
1liseum
o years
Dublin
UnionLivermore
Pleasanton
FremonV
Centervil le
Warm Springs
Santa Clara`*.,
San Jose
Tamien
Legend
Existing BART
. . . . Phase I BART Extension South Bay Commuter Rail
Phase 11/111 BART Extension Altamont Commuter
FEATURES j/ FAST TRA CK
THE FAST TRACK will significantly and immediately improve the Altamont Pass Commuter Rai! This line will connect
Bay Area's rail transit network: Stockton and Manteca with Livermore,Pleasanton,Fremont,Santa
Clara,'and San
South Bay Commuter Rail This line will provide service Jose using the F*161arS:=city
from the Cahill Station in San Jose to the existing BART station in West existing tracks of ^'l
i,:. n
Oakland,using the 4r�;�+.. .
the Union Pacific, { sn9 F•
existing tracks of � �' " `'
Southern Pacific, rtr , 06
the Union Pacific and Joint Powers VIy'd Clok
railroad. (twill � �` ""°�°
wml�•: ��� `.. ;� ,9 Board. The Fwd Sr ,
include 50 track
I�
nv
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^° Anloo) e. complete line `k "
miles and could W*,fGOA will include 80
serve up to 5700
miles of track
passengers a day. r 'T ;�t "_sod°'
d
} =• and could serve �;
Intermodal links `"m p. m`°m"` an estimatedzw
will provide easyawe 1400 passengers
access to BART, ::: ft spbp � —MK dPM�FM
. a day. r
the new North Bayboy—
r
Commuter Rail, :Ia
intercity rail, 8°°0,N0 .ft FW
Acceleration of Current Extension Projects
CalTrain,the To provide an effective link between the new Commuter Rail and the
Guadalupe rail existing BART system,two extension projects will be constructed on
system,the Tasman rail system,and the Oakland Airport Connector. an accelerated schedule. Three new miles of track and a new station
will be added in Pittsburg and the West Dublin/Pleasanton BART
North Bay Commuter Rai! This line will extend service Station will be constructed to enhance access to the San Ramon
along the Southern Pacific railroad tracks to Brentwood in East Contra Valley. In addition,THE FAST TRACKwill provide funding for the
Costa County,with final engineering of the Warm Springs Extension,alternatives analy-
an optional exten- ses for the extensions in West Contra Costa and Fremont/South Bay,
.; sion to Fairfield and project development studies for the Livermore extension,the
�*�^` '•� k:- _ and Suisun City in Oakland Airport Connector,and a project in San Francisco. These
Solano County. projects will help ensure that the BART Extensions Program remains
WAM will include 77
on THE FAST TRACK.
miles of track
:°fn•• between Brent- New Intermodal Stations New links will be created
y..i.; • !'Ci.±=v�mti Ilrxmno r,snna.
wood,Fairfield, between the Bay Area's many transit systems through a series of new
•-•.,�-SFanmY
and West Oakland Intermodal Transit Stations. Passengers from Brentwood,San Jose,
Y ~ '
W_s9d.Q. and could carry up or San Francisco will be able to purchase a single ticket that they can
to 6400 passengers use on both the Commuter Rail and BART,giving them easy access to
Ti. a day. Stations all major employment centers,airports,and cultural institutions. They
yT - --",,"[bY °'W°o°°^ along the way will can also transfer to other regional and intercity systems,including
serve the commu- nearly every major bus and light rail system in the Bay Area as well as
nities of Antioch, Amtrak. These intermodal links will be inexpensive to develop and
Pittsburg,Martinez,Crockett,Hercules,and Richmond,providing easy will be valuable additions to the regional transportation network
access to BART,the new South Bay Commuter Rail,and intercity rail.
Ne w Airport Connections THE FAST TRACK will
provide the funds necessary for pursuing new project opportunities for
BART connections to the San Francisco and Oakland airports. These
connections are vital to serving the region's transportation needs and
will provide an important boost to rail ridership. Both connections are
Extension Planning Oeparoneni
A R T Bay Area Rapid Transit District alreadybeingimplemented under the existingExtensions Program.
B THE FAST TRACK will ensure that they are a top priority and
P.O.Box 12688 completed as soon as possible for maximum regional benefit
P P 9
Oakland,CA 94604
(510)287-4810
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The-Board of Supervisors1 Phil Batchelor
Contra
C Clerk of the Board
and
County Administration BuildingCounty Administrator
Costa
651 Pine St., Room 106 Costa l (510)646-2371
Martinez, California 94553 County
Tom Powers,1st District 1
Jeff Smith,2nd District L
Gayle Bishop,3rd District ?� °
Sunne Wright McPeak,4th District . t
Tom Torlakson,5th District ?s
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November 2, 1993
Jane Baker, Chair
Metropolitan Transportation Commission
101 Eighth Street
Oakland, CA 94"607
Dear Chairwom v aker:
We have received a report on the FASTRAK proposal from BART General Manager Frank Wilson. County staff
informed us that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission will shortly finalize the set of alternatives to carry
into the 1994 Regional Transportation Plan's (RTP) environmental analysis. It appears that Commission staff
recommendations adopted by your Work Program Committee have effectively precluded the analysis of regional
commuter rail service as a viable alternative in the RTP's environmental review process.
The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors has adopted the enclosed resolution which asks the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission to reconsider previous actions and include the FASTRAK proposal, or a similar
commuter rail proposal, in the RTP Track 1 environmental evaluation so as to allow a full and fair debate on the
merits of regional commuter rail among the various transportation alternatives being considered.
We recognize the difficulty facing the Commission in developing a financially constrained RTP. However,unless
the planning process includes an evaluation of a commuter rail alternative, such as FASTRAK, the region will
never be able to judge the viability of commuter rail service a s an interim measure for communities which must
wait many years for a BART extension.
Very truly yours,
Tom Torlakson, Chair
Board of Supervisors
Enclosure
cc: Legislative delegation
MTC Commissioners
CCTA
BART
GEBROC
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