Final environmental report to electrify Caltrain receives clearance

The plan to electrify Caltrain will achieve a major milestone pending certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report and Project Adoption on April 1 by the Board of Directors. Approval by the board completes the environmental process for the Caltrain Electrification Program, a major element of the plans to modernize the Peninsula rail system, and positions the railroad to seek federal and state funding.

"Electrification is the future
of Caltrain," said Caltrain Chair Sean Elsbernd, "and this puts us in an ideal
position to pursue federal and state funding. This is a major step forward for
our efforts."

Caltrain prepared a
combined environmental document for the electrification program: an
Environmental Assessment/Final EIR. Approval of the Environmental Assessment
and Certification of the Final EIR are critical steps in enabling Caltrain to
compete for federal and state funds. Environmental clearance is a key criterion
for funding investment decisions.

Under the National
Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Transit Administration issued the
Findings of No Significant Impact for the Environmental Assessment in 2009. The
Final EIR is required by the state under the California Environmental Quality
Act.

Public participation has
been an important component of the complex project. To solicit input on the
Environmental Assessment/Draft EIR, four formal public hearings were held in
2004 throughout the Caltrain service area and the meetings were widely
publicized. Additionally, the Environmental Assessment/Draft EIR was available
for public review and comment from April 12, 2004 through May 25, 2004. Staff
also met with representatives from cities and other public agencies about the project.
All of the comments received during this period have been included and
addressed in the Environmental Assessment/Final EIR.

Last year, persons who
submitted comments on the Environmental Assessment/Draft EIR, as well as
elected officials and public agencies in the Caltrain service area, received a
newsletter updating them on the status of the electrification program. Public
agencies that commented on the Environmental Assessment/Draft EIR within the
public review period have received copies of the Environmental Assessment/Final
EIR.

The electrification program
is the critical modernization program to ensure a vibrant future for Caltrain.
It anticipates an electrified rail system from the San Francisco Caltrain
Station to the Tamien station in San Jose. The system is powered by overhead
wires and designed to minimize visual impact.

In addition, the
electrification program calls for converting the Caltrain rolling stock from
its current diesel locomotive-powered cars to Electric Multiple Units in use throughout
the world. The EMUs feature greatly enhanced performance that will enable
Caltrain to provide more service.

The electrification of
Caltrain also will result in significant reductions in noise and air pollution.
The Environmental Assessment/Final EIR concludes that the electrified system
will be quieter than the current diesel equipment and will mean a 90 percent
reduction in emissions.

Following the board action,
the Final EIR will be filed with the State Clearinghouse. The public has 30
days to review the report.

The Environmental
Assessment/Final EIR is posted on the Caltrain Web site:
www.caltrain.com/caltrain2025.html.