HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.9 - 1210 BART to ACE Support Resolution
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STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
DATE: November 15, 2016
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:
Christopher L. Foss, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Support for Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Altamont Corridor
Express (ACE) Rail Connection in the Tri-Valley
Prepared by: Obaid Khan, Transportation and Operations Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider a resolution in support of a rail connection between the
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) rail systems
in the Tri-Valley to increase ridership and reduce traffic congestion between the San
Joaquin Valley and the Bay Area.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the Resolution Supporting a Rail Connection between the Bay Area Rapid
Transit and Altamont Corridor Express Rail Systems in the Tri-Valley.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
DESCRIPTION:
The Altamont Regional Rail Working Group was formed in October of 2015 for the
purpose of facilitating and accelerating the planning and construction of a connection
between BART to ACE in the Tri-Valley. Working Group members include elected
officials from the City of Dublin, City of Livermore, City of Pleasanton, County of
Alameda, County of San Joaquin, City of Tracy, BART, ACE, the Livermore Amador
Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), and representative of regional business organizations
including the East Bay Leadership Council, Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group and
the San Joaquin Partnership. The Working Group met on September 14, 2016 and
unanimously approved a recommendation that each respective member agency, and
other agencies that are impacted, pass resolutions of support for a rail connection of the
BART and ACE rail systems in the Tri-Valley. The attached resolution recognizes the
necessity and action.
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A direct connection between BART and ACE in the Tri-Valley will benefit commuters
traveling between the Bay Area and Northern San Joaquin County. It is an important
solution to the congestion on I-580 caused by the growing job and housing imbalance
between the Bay Area and the Central Valley. The connection between the BART and
ACE rail systems in the Tri-Valley is identified as a key component of the MTC Regional
Rail Plan, the Alameda County Transportation Commission Countywide Plan, and the
ACE Forward planning efforts. Additionally, in the Northern California Megaregion
Report (June 2016), the Bay Area Council Economic Institute identifies the BART to
ACE connection as a key infrastructure needed to support the Northern California
economy - one of the fastest growing economies in the country.
In summary, the passage of the resolution is a step toward making this intermodal rail
connection a County priority and supports the inter -regional collaboration necessary to
achieve this goal.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
A copy of the staff report was provided to LAVTA and the Regional Rail Working Group.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Supporting a Rail Connection between the Bay Area Rapid Transit and
Altamont Corridor Express Rail Systems in the Tri-Valley
RESOLUTION NO. ____ - 16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
* * * * * * * * * * *
SUPPORTING A RAIL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT AND
ALTAMONT CORRIDOR EXPRESS RAIL SYSTEMS IN THE TRI-VALLEY
WHEREAS, the Northern California Megaregion population totaled 12.2 million in
2015 and is growing; and
WHEREAS, housing affordability issues in the Bay Area have been one cause of the
population influx in the inland portions of the megaregion, causing 68.7% of megaregional
workforce commuters crossing regional boundaries to commute into the Bay Area for work;
and
WHEREAS, the growth of Northern San Joaquin Valley commuters to the Bay Area
has been particularly dramatic, more than doubling from 1990 to 2013, causing the I -580
being one of the most congested freeways in the Megaregion , and therefore, contributing to
greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, the I-580 Altamont Pass is a key corridor for freight movement between
the Northern San Joaquin Valley and the Port of Oakland; and
WHEREAS, the best current connection between BART and the Altamont Corridor
Express (ACE) in the Tri-Valley is by shuttle bus, and a faster, more reliable and more direct
rail connection between these two services would increase both BART and ACE ridership
and relieve pressure on Interstate 580 and other transportation systems and increase
interregional mobility; and
WHEREAS, the Altamont Regional Rail Working Group was formed in October of
2015 for the purpose of facilitating and accelerating the planning and construction of a BART
to ACE connection in the Tri-Valley, the planning of which traverses multiple Metropolitan
Planning Organizations and transportation agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Altamont Regional Rail Working Group members include elected
officials from the City of Livermore, City of Dublin, City of Pleasanton, County o f Alameda,
County of San Joaquin, City of Tracy, the Altamont Corridor Express, the Bay Area Rapid
Transit Authority, the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, and representatives of
regional business organizations including the Easy Bay Leadership Council, Innovation Tri-
Valley Leadership Group and the San Joaquin Partnership; and
WHEREAS, the Altamont Regional Rail Working Group has recommended that their
respective agencies pass resolutions of support for a rail connection of the BART and ACE
rail systems in the Tri-Valley; and
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Dublin
affirms its support of timely planning and constructing a BART to ACE rail connection in the
Tri-Valley; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Dublin affirms its
intent to make a BART and ACE rail connection in the Tri-Valley a priority and will take steps
toward greater regional collaboration to achieve this goal.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 15th day of November 2016, by the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
City Clerk