Valley Link

{{Short description|Proposed hybrid rail line in northern California}}

{{About|a proposed California rail line from the San Francisco Bay Area to the San Joaquin Valley|other similarly named rail services|Valley Rail (disambiguation){{!}}Valley Rail}}

{{Infobox rail line

| box_width =

| name = Valley Link

| other_name =

| color = 7ac144

| logo = Logo Valley Link.svg

| logo_width = 200px

| logo_alt =

| image =

| image_width =

| image_alt =

| caption =

| type = Hybrid rail

| system =

| status = In planning

| locale = Tri-Valley/Northern San Joaquin Valley

| start = Dublin/Pleasanton station

| end = Mountain House Community station

| stations = 4

| routes =

| daily_ridership =

| ridership2 =

| planopen = {{Start date|2035|df=y}}

| open =

| yearcommenced =

| yearcompleted =

| close =

| event1label =

| event1 =

| event2label =

| event2 =

| event3label =

| event3 =

| owner = Tri-Valley–San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority

| operator = San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission

| character =

| depot = Mountain House Operations and Maintenance Facility

| stock = Zero-emission hydrogen trainsets{{cite web |title=Hydrogen Feasibility Study |url=https://www.valleylinkrail.com/h2 |website=Valley Link Rail |publisher=Tri-Valley–San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority |access-date=January 15, 2023}}{{cite web |title=Valley Link Advances Vision to be Nation's First Passenger Rail System to Operate on Self-Produced Green Hydrogen Fuel |url=https://www.valleylinkrail.com/_files/ugd/95df9a_674d9a87b581483298ba7119a35c9e13.pdf |website=Valley Link Rail |publisher=Tri-Valley–San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority |access-date=January 15, 2024}}{{cite news |title=Transportation's next frontier: Building the nation's first passenger rail system powered with green hydrogen |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2023/08/31/transportations-next-frontier-green-hydrogen.html |access-date=February 19, 2024 |work=San Francisco Business Journal |publisher=American City Business Journals |date=August 31, 2023}}

| linelength_mi = 26{{cite web |title=Get Valley Linked! |url=https://www.getvalleylinked.com/ |website=Valley Link Rail Project |publisher=Tri-Valley–San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority |access-date=January 14, 2024}}

| tracklength_km =

| tracklength_mi =

| tracklength =

| tracks =

| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}

| load_gauge =

| minradius =

| routenumber =

| linenumber =

| speed_km/h =

| speed_mph =

| speed =

| signalling =

| elevation_m =

| elevation_ft =

| elevation =

| website = https://www.valleylinkrail.com/

| map = {{Valley Link}}

| map_name =

| map_state = uncollapsed

| embedded =

}}

Valley Link is a proposed {{convert|26|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} hybrid rail (light rail with some features similar to commuter rail) line in Northern California, which seeks to connect the rapid transit Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system in the San Francisco Bay Area with the northern San Joaquin Valley via the Tri-Valley region.{{cite web|title=AB-758 Transportation: Tri-Valley–San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB758|access-date=October 17, 2017}} {{as of|1997|since=y}}, BART's Blue Line's eastern terminus is at Dublin/Pleasanton station on the border of Dublin and Pleasanton. Valley Link seeks to extend rail service east from here into the northern San Joaquin Valley over Altamont Pass, which would help alleviate traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Interstate 580 (I-580). The project resulted from various failed proposals to extend the Blue Line east to Livermore.{{cite news|last1=Baldassari|first1=Erin|title=BART rejects Livermore expansion; mayor vows rail connection|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2018/05/24/bart-rejects-livermore-expansion-mayor-vows-rail-connection/|access-date=May 25, 2018|work=East Bay Times|date=May 24, 2018}}

The line would run within the median of Interstate 580 (I-580), right-of-way of the first transcontinental railroad owned by Alameda County, and new right-of-way in San Joaquin County. It is being planned by the Tri-Valley–San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority, a special-purpose district body formed for the sole purpose of its planning. Valley Link is ultimately planned to run between Dublin/Pleasanton station and the Altamont Corridor Express’s (ACE) future North Lathrop station utilizing standard-gauge zero-emission hydrogen trainsets. The initial operating phase is the line between Dublin/Pleasanton station and Mountain House Community station near the community of Mountain House in the San Joaquin Valley, with the segment from Mountain House to North Lathrop being reserved for future planning. This segment, which includes new stations at Isabel Avenue, Southfront Road, and Mountain House, is currently undergoing engineering and environmental review and design, with construction expected to begin as early as 2025 and end as early as 2035.{{cite news |last1=Trujano |first1=Christian |title=Public input invited on environmental assessment for Valley Link |url=https://www.pleasantonweekly.com/transportation/2025/01/06/public-input-invited-on-environmental-assessment-for-valley-link/ |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=Pleasanton Weekly |date=January 6, 2025}}

History

File:Looking out of the tunnel at Livermore Pass, Alameda County, Western Pacific Railroad, by Thomas Houseworth & Co..jpg summit tunnel at Altamont Pass, {{circa}} 1869]]

About {{convert|12|mi}} of the first transcontinental railroad right of way through the Tri-Valley and Altamont Pass, originally established in 1869 by the old Western Pacific Railroad, was deeded to Alameda County by Southern Pacific Railroad in 1984. This historic 1869 route featured a Summit Tunnel, {{convert|1200|ft}} long, blasted and dug by Chinese laborers.{{Cite book|title=The Chinese and the Iron Road; Building the Transcontinental Railroad|publisher=Stanford University Press|year=2019|editor-last=Chang|editor-first=Gordon H.|location=Stanford, CA|pages=291|editor-last2=Fisher Fishkin|editor-first2=Shelley|isbn=978-1503608290}} The Altamont Commuter Express commuter rail service, which began between Stockton and San Jose in 1998, uses the other Union Pacific right of way that goes over Altamont Pass, established in 1908.

File:Western Pacific on Southern Pacific trackage in Altamont Pass, CA in April 1982 (30495390142).jpg right of way (center and right) through the Altamont Pass, which Alameda County acquired in 1984. The route of the Altamont Corridor Express is the track higher in elevation on the left.]]

A similar plan to run diesel multiple unit trains across Altamont Pass was proposed by BART in 2003, though it comprised a larger service area (continuing north along the Iron Horse Regional Trail, a former Southern Pacific right-of-way).{{cite news |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/BART-ponders-eastern-extensions-Planned-routes-2609740.php |title=BART ponders eastern extensions / Planned routes call for unfamiliar trains |newspaper=SF Gate |date=June 13, 2003 |first=Michael |last=Cabanatuan}}

In 2017, citing lack of interest from the Bay Area Rapid Transit District in bringing BART service directly to Livermore, the Livermore City Council proposed a newly established local entity to undertake planning and construction of the extension,{{cite news|last1=Angela Ruggiero|first1=Angela Ruggiero|title=Livermore says BART board doesn't care, wants local control|url=http://www.timesheraldonline.com/article/NH/20170411/SPORTS/170419966|access-date=May 23, 2017|work=Vallejo Times-Herald|date=April 11, 2017}} which was also recommended by the California State Assembly Transportation Committee.{{cite news|last1=Matthews|first1=Sam|title=Closer to a BART connection|url=http://www.goldenstatenewspapers.com/tracy_press/news/closer-to-a-bart-connection/article_5d034ce6-2bad-11e7-bfba-7ba7e05fa8d0.html|access-date=June 2, 2017|work=Tracy Press|date=April 28, 2017}} Assembly Bill 758 was signed by Governor of California Jerry Brown on October 13, 2017, formally establishing the Authority.

On May 24, 2018, the BART board voted against a full rapid transit BART build or a bus rapid transit system to extend service east from Dublin/Pleasanton station. This prompted the new Rail Authority to initiate planning of a new transit system.

A final feasibility report was released in October 2019. The buildout cost to North Lathrop was estimated at between $1.88 billion and $3.21 billion, with an expected start of operations between the second quarter of 2027 and the fourth quarter of 2028.{{cite web |title=Valley Link Final Feasibility Report |url=https://www.dropbox.com/s/fp34e3tr8uj4mut/Combined_ValleyLinkFinalFeasibilityReport_10-8-2019_Reduced.pdf?dl=0 |website=Dropbox |publisher=Tri-Valley-San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority |access-date=17 October 2019}} Scott Haggerty, one of the founders of the TVSJVRRA, noted that the popularity of the project was reflected in the volume of public comments to the feasibility report.{{cite web |title=Valley Link Feasibility Report approved by Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority Board |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/press-release/21110002/trivalley-san-joaquin-valley-regional-rail-authority-valley-link-feasibility-report-approved-by-trivalley-san-joaquin-valley-regional-rail-authority-board |website=Mass Transit |date=October 14, 2019 |access-date=1 April 2020}} A draft environmental impact report was released in December 2020.{{cite news |title=Environmental report drafted for Valley Link passenger-rail project |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/Environmental-report-drafted-for-Valley-Link-passenger-rail-project--62217 |access-date=18 December 2020 |work=Progressive Railroading |date=8 December 2020}} The final environmental impact report was approved by the board in May 2021, allowing the rail authority to proceed with design and continue seeking funding for the project.{{cite web |title=Valley Link Board approves environmental report for rail project |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/article/21222570/valley-link-board-approved-environmental-report-for-rail-project |website=masstransitmag.com |access-date=21 July 2021 |date=May 13, 2021}}

By 2023, the locally preferred alternative had the line utilizing the I-580 median and Western Pacific alignment until realigning with I-580 north of the Summit Tunnel and continuing east to Mountain House.{{cite web |title=Adoption of a Locally Preferred Alternative for Evaluation in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Clearance |date=April 12, 2023 |url=https://download-files.wixmp.com/raw/45ab3e_47c5df06bdc74662b0dcff237a71ab09.pdf?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpc3MiOiJ1cm46YXBwOmU2NjYzMGU3MTRmMDQ5MGFhZWExZjE0OWIzYjY5ZTMyIiwic3ViIjoidXJuOmFwcDplNjY2MzBlNzE0ZjA0OTBhYWVhMWYxNDliM2I2OWUzMiIsImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTpmaWxlLmRvd25sb2FkIl0sImlhdCI6MTY5ODU0Njc4MSwiZXhwIjoxNjk4NTQ3NjkxLCJqdGkiOiI0MzUyNmFlMS0zOGFiLTQ5ZjgtOTM3Mi0zYmE2ZTNhZTBiYTIiLCJvYmoiOltbeyJwYXRoIjoiL3Jhdy80NWFiM2VfNDdjNWRmMDZiZGM3NDY2MmIwZGNmZjIzN2E3MWFiMDkucGRmIn1dXSwiZGlzIjp7ImZpbGVuYW1lIjoiNS4wX1NSX0F0dGFjaDEmMl9Mb2NhbGx5IFByZWZlcnJlZCBBbHRlcm5hdGl2ZS5wZGYiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW5saW5lIn19.tm52KG8Uda3i0IeLjT-d0aPbX2ShLGU2KYHh_T5XzNg |publisher=Tri-Valley-San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority |access-date=May 24, 2023}} Selection of the alternate Mountain House station location and alignment east of Altamont Pass forced the agency to redo part of the EIR.{{cite news |last1=Holland |first1=John |title=See latest plan for passenger rail from North Valley to Bay Area, every 12 minutes at peak |url=https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article288612929.html |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=Modesto Bee |date=May 23, 2024}} By 2024, service was proposed to start in 2035.{{cite report |title=Valley Link Draft SEIR |url=https://download-files.wixmp.com/raw/4f4f88_ff84d1fa8ab642ee8d0197d3a95c0195.pdf?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.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.TpzEYRAgssAp3hpPs8z4E5D2d5VMUVgHJqVT8ZcUEmw |access-date=9 July 2024 |publisher=Tri-Valley - San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority |date=April 2024 |chapter=Chapter 2: Project Description |page=2-29}}

Rail service

Valley Link is a plan to utilize zero-emission hydrogen trainsets along the former first transcontinental railroad right-of-way through the Altamont Pass and in the Interstate 580 median through the city of Livermore. Trains would initially run {{convert|26|mi}} from the Dublin/Pleasanton station to Mountain House Community station, with intermediate stations at Isabel and Southfront Road.{{cite news |last1=Matthews |first1=Sam |title=Light rail system selects downtown station |url=http://www.goldenstatenewspapers.com/tracy_press/news/light-rail-system-selects-downtown-station/article_e4c186f8-9131-11e8-b35c-07ad848c808a.html |access-date=July 28, 2018 |work=Tracy Press |date=July 27, 2018}} Weekday service would connect to every other BART train at Dublin/Pleasanton.{{cite web|title=Project Concept|url=https://www.acetobart.org/project-concept|website=ACE to BART|publisher=Tri-Valley - San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority|access-date=May 29, 2018}}

{{anchor|River Islands}}The developer of River Islands has offered to cover the cost of station construction in exchange for the ability to build a transit village at the site.{{cite news |last1=Wyatt |first1=Dennis |title=VALLEY'S 1ST TRANSIT VILLAGE? |url=https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/valleys-1st-transit-village/ |access-date=July 1, 2018 |work=Mantecca Bulletin |date=June 23, 2018}}

In 2018, Stadler met with the governing board to discuss traction sources; diesel multiple unit or diesel/battery electric hybrid vehicles will likely serve the route. AECOM was contracted to perform a feasibility study for the project that same year.{{cite news |last1=McNicoll |first1=Ron |title=Rail to BART Completes Study Funding |url=http://www.independentnews.com/news/rail-to-bart-completes-study-funding/article_7bf33e74-74bb-11e8-97cb-2b1437068202.html |access-date=July 17, 2018 |work=The Independent |date=June 21, 2018}} The loading gauge of highway underpasses limits the selection of rolling stock.

The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission agreed to operate the service in 2020.{{cite news |last1=Wyatt |first1=Dennis |title=Rail Commute |url=https://www.turlockjournal.com/news/local/rail-commute/ |access-date=14 February 2021 |work=Turlock Journal |date=12 February 2021}}

=Funding=

Funds previously allocated to BART to construct a Livermore extension were forfeited to this authority by July 1, 2018, amounting to at least $145 million. Funding for the feasibility study was provided variously by Caltrans, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and the San Joaquin County Council of Governments. By February 2019, more than $588 million had been accumulated for the project.{{cite news |last1=Matthews |first1=Sam |title=High-speed rail bombshell may be good news for Valley Link |url=http://www.goldenstatenewspapers.com/tracy_press/news/high-speed-rail-bombshell-may-be-good-news-for-valley/article_79005552-30af-11e9-8d7e-7720dc933977.html |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=Tracy Press |date=15 February 2019}} In 2020, the project gained a further $400 million from reallocated BART funds.{{cite magazine |title=Funds reallocated to Valley Link Project |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/press-release/21156303/trivalley-san-joaquin-valley-regional-rail-authority-valley-link-project-funds-reallocated-to-regional-rail-authority |access-date=30 September 2020 |magazine=Mass Transit |date=29 September 2020}} In 2023, the state of California awarded the project $25 million.{{cite news |last1=Wyatt |first1=Dennis |title=State awards Valley Link $25 million |url=https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/state-awards-valley-link-25-million/ |access-date=February 19, 2024 |work=Manteca Bulletin |publisher=209 Multimedia |date=April 27, 2023}}