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

2

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)

4

System Map

5

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

6

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

8

Los Gatos Creek Bridge Replacement Project

Overview

Project Location

10

Context• Active rail line,

south of Diridon hub

• Adjacent Residences

• Endangered Species work window

• Riparian Habitat

• Bike/ped trail

11

Pre-Construction Condition

12

13

14

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

15

1935 Bridge Condition

16

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

17

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

18

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

19

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

20

Area of Opposition #2Local Residents

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

21

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.)

22

Area of Opposition #3Local Government

• City sponsored trail extension project underneath the railroad bridge

• Requested JPB project be delayed or postponed to ensure compatibility

23

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.)

24

Construction Completed Jan. 2018

25

Fish Protection and Relocation Effort

26

Mitigation Implementation and Monitoring

27

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)

28