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Environmental Opposition to Collaboration:

Caltrain’s Los Gatos Creek Bridge Replacement

Hilda Lafebre and Leo TiddSeptember 2019

Presentation Overview1. Caltrain System Overview2. Project Introduction 3. Areas of Concern/Opposition 4. Finding Collaboration 5. Conclusion6. Q&A

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Caltrain System and Capital Program Overview

System Overview• Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board

(JPB) operates commuter rail service along the Peninsula from San Francisco to San Jose and Gilroy

• JPB owns and operates 51 miles of right-of-way between San Francisco and south of Tamien, San Jose. Operates on additional 25 miles to Gilroy terminus.

• Railroad has been in service for over 150 years (JPB purchased ROW in 1991)

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System Map

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System Overview• Railroad Bridges: 74 • Stations: 31• Fleet: 29 diesel locomotives and 134

passenger cars • Service Frequency:

• Number of weekday trains: 92 • Number of weekday express trains: 22

Number of weekend trains: 68 • Number of weekend express trains: 8

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Caltrain Modernization• Electrification

from San Francisco to Tamien by 2022

• Currently under construction

Capital Program Overview• FY2019 Capital Program Budget:

• Caltrain Modernization- $248 million • Other infrastructure improvements and

maintenance- $54 milliono State of good repairo Stations, signals, communicationso Bridge replacementso Grade separations

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Los Gatos Creek Bridge Replacement Project

Overview

Project Location

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Context• Active rail line,

south of Diridon hub

• Adjacent Residences

• Endangered Species work window

• Riparian Habitat

• Bike/ped trail

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Pre-Construction Condition

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Purpose and Need1. Replace the structurally deficient 1935

railroad bridge and meet current safety, seismic and engineering standards.

2. Improve operations at San Jose Diridonstation

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1935 Bridge Condition

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Project Description• Demolish two-track 1935 bridge• Replace with three new single track bridges• Include tail track to maintain operations

throughout construction and improve operational flexibility post-construction

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Project Description (cont’d)• Creek mitigation elements- riparian

restoration and in-channel enhancements • Construct project in one June- October in-

channel work window • Project cost- approximately $35 million • Construction cost- approximately $18

million

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Area of Opposition #1Resource Agencies

• Threatened Central Califorina Coast Steelhead

• Concerns on effect of new bridge design on channel stability, erosion and water quality

• Lack of resource agency input opportunities in preliminary engineering

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Area of Opposition #1- Solutions• Re-do 35% design with close input and collaboration of

resource agency stakeholders • Design for net environmental benefit to the creek and

habitat, wider channel with reduced velocity and scour

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Area of Opposition #2Local Residents

• Construction noise and vibration impact• Nighttime and weekend construction • Change in views, tracks closer to homes

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Area of Opposition #2- Solutions• Proactive communication on project

benefits to the neighborhood (including safety, aesthetics)

• Construction noise/vibration mitigations• Communication before and during

construction (website, tracking and response to complaints etc.)

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Area of Opposition #3Local Government

• City sponsored trail extension project underneath the railroad bridge

• Requested JPB project be delayed or postponed to ensure compatibility

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Area of Opposition #3- Solutions• Leadership to persevere – the bridge had to be replaced

for safety and could not be delayed.• Coordinated design to allow future trail (maintains

acceptable clearance etc.)

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Construction Completed Jan. 2018

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Fish Protection and Relocation Effort

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Mitigation Implementation and Monitoring

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Conclusion-Early identification of potential opposition :

• Regulatory agencies• Neighboring community• Political• City plans and projects

-Developing engagement strategies• Participation in the design phase• Site visits at different stages of the project• Board member constituencies

-Engineering and Construction Team Understanding of Environmental Challenges-Developing documents with emphasis on the benefits of the project (i.e., environmental, infrastructure safety and reliability, property value)

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