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Sacramento Intermodal Transportation Facility: Right on Track
After many public meetings and planning sessions, it’s time for an update about this important transportation project that is integral to improving transportation and mobility for the Sacramento region. The Intermodal is also critical to the 240-acre Railyards redevelopment area in the heart of downtown Sacramento.
The realization of the Intermodal involves ground-breaking partnerships for the City with transportation operators serving the facility, with federal, state and local agencies funding and approving the project, with Thomas Enterprises, the developer of the Railyards, and with the public and regional entities.
Background
The Intermodal project site was once the western terminus for the Transcontinental Railroad and part of major railroad holdings in downtown Sacramento since the mid-19th century. In 2004, after concept design studies, the Sacramento City Council approved development of a regional transportation center, the Sacramento Intermodal Transportation Facility, at this location.
In 2006, a significant step toward the project occurred when the Union Pacific Railroad sold the Railyards site to Thomas Enterprises. In turn, the developer sold nearly nine acres of land and the historic Sacramento Valley Station (depot) to the City, along with an option to purchase an adjacent 24 acres. The City is currently in the process of acquiring the additional acreage.
On its 33 acres, the City proposes to realign the railroad tracks to the north side of the site and expand the existing station and adjacent lands into a state-of-the-art transportation center. Here, multiple modes of transportation would provide convenient connections within the City and region.
Currently, the Intermodal project is in the environmental phase. One piece, track relocation, is in the preliminary design phase. This means that the City is one step closer to building improved rail and transit facilities in the near future. The map shows the locations and components of the project. For more information, check out key dates.
Intermodal Project Map (click here for PDF version)
Did you know? At 240 acres, Sacramento’s Railyards site is the largest urban infill site in the nation.
Why go Intermodal?
A single, regional transportation hub will:
- Provide better connectivity between passenger rail and transit services to meet user needs at a convenient focal point
- Improve capacity and reliability for both freight and passenger rail service
- Reduce conflicts and widely dispersed operations among transportation modes
- Accommodate future growth for current rail, transit and bus service providers and provide opportunities for potential new operators
- Remove traffic from interstate and highway systems, as well as from City streets
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What is an intermodal facility?
A central location that provides user-friendly connections between various modes of transportation, where bicycle, pedestrian, bus, light rail, taxi and train connections can be planned. The new facility may also include airline ticketing, rental car services, charter operations and other travel amenities and services.
Projected Future Dates*
For the Intermodal project:
- By end of 2008 – Circulate environmental documents for review
- February 2009 – Environmental clearances and City Council approval
- Summer 2009 – Track relocation construction starts
- After track relocation, Sacramento Valley Station improvements will commence
- After Sacramento Valley Station improvements are completed, Intermodal improvements will begin
Note: After track relocation, implementation of phases would be dependent upon funding availability.
The Big Picture: A Snapshot of the Development Master Plan
Wondering what’s happening with the Railyards project? Although the Railyards project is separate from the federally funded Intermodal project, here’s a brief snapshot:
Thomas Enterprises’ master plan for the 240-acre Railyards includes mixed-use development to accommodate 12,000 housing units, specialty shops, entertainment, dining, office space and plazas.
In December 2007, following significant review of environmental and fiscal impacts, the Sacramento City Council approved Thomas Enterprises’ plan by unanimous vote. For more information, visit the Railyards Web site. Track relocation is just as critical for the initial development phases of the Railyards as it is for the Intermodal. As the tracks are relocated, the infrastructure, streets and buildings of the development will also start to take shape. In particular, several of the Railyards’ circulation system components soon will be constructed and will provide important connections in the City, including the street extensions/overcrossings of 5th and 6th Streets and the pedestrian/bicycle tunnels at 2nd and 7th streets. |
Did you know the Railyards redevelopment area will be a hub for transportation, retail, housing, entertainment, business, culture and commerce?
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