Valley Link Rail Project Awarded $25 Million to Advance Development
- Ben Cheever
- Communications Director
- ben.cheever@asm.ca.gov
San Joaquin Valley – The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) announced on Monday the award of $25 million to the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority for the Valley Link Rail Project.
“The Valley Link Rail Project is a critical development for the future of clean and efficient transportation around Northern California,” said Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton). “Since coming into office, I’ve been working to help bring funds from the State towards this important regional project. I am grateful for this investment that will significantly reduce emissions and commute time for our workers to get home to their families.”
Over 105,000 people commute from the Central Valley over the Altamont pass to work in the larger Bay Area region, and a recent study indicates over 20 percent of San Joaquin County residents commute 15 miles or more each day. This creates a highly congested traveling corridor along Interstate 580.
The Valley Link Rail Project will deliver cost-effective, energy-efficient transit connectivity between the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system and the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE). The modernized network of public transportation will serve as a model for sustainable commuting and traveling practices to link housing, jobs, and people together.
CalSTA issues grants provided by the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program to “fund transformative capital improvements that modernize intercity, commuter, and urban rail systems to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, vehicle miles traveled, and congestion.”