Rep. McNerney introduces bill to create new rail project for Altamont Corridor

Representative Jerry McNerney (D-CA) introduced legislation to help fund the Altamont Corridor Rail Project, which will expand rail services between the Central Valley and the Bay Area, Calif. H.R. 1504, the Altamont Corridor Rail Improvement Act, invests in a project that will serve thousands of people, create jobs and reduce traffic along some of the region's most heavily traveled highways. "The Altamont Corridor Rail Project is an important part of improving both our area's economic future and our quality of life," said Rep. McNerney. Currently, the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) runs weekday trains from the Central Valley to the Bay Area and shares tracks with freight trains and Amtrak. Use of these shared tracks limits travel speed and adds delays to the ACE system. The Altamont Corridor Rail Project establishes a dedicated track for passenger rail services. This 85-mile corridor has the potential to carry 35,000 people each way once completed and could cut commute time between Stockton and San Jose, Calif., in half. H.R. 1504, the legislation introduced by Rep. McNerney, authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide up to $450 million in grants over the next decade for preliminary engineering, final design and construction of the Altamont Corridor Rail Project. Scott Haggerty, Alameda County Supervisor, and Brent Ives, Mayor of Tracy, both of who also serve on the San Joaquin County Rail Commission, offered words of support for the project and Rep. McNerney's legislation. "The Altamont Corridor Rail Project is a key part of expanding our region's transportation network, working hand in hand with BART improvements and the development of high speed rail," said Haggerty. "This project is vitally important to our region and for Northern California in general," said Ives. "Establishing a dedicated rail line that provides service between San Joaquin County and the Bay Area will decrease travel time for commuters and stimulate economic growth in our area. I appreciate Rep. McNerney's leadership in introducing legislation that will provide funding needed to help make this project a reality." H.R. 1504 is now expected to be referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for further consideration.