We have big news for our residents who like to frequent the Bay Area! On May 12, Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Valley Link rail project. This vote will permit the rail authority to seek funding and continue design work for the construction and implementation of the Valley Link project.
We’re excited for what this project can mean for River Islands residents’ commutes and the environment.The proposed Valley Link project includes seven stations, including a station at River Islands, along 42 miles of track, connecting the existing Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station to the proposed ACE North Lathrop Station. This project will offer 74 daily round trips, and by 2040, is expected to carry more than 33,000 daily riders. The FEIR finds that the project will result in the reduction of approximately 141 million vehicle miles traveled per year (by 2040), and could eliminate between 33,000 to 42,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions (depending on the vehicle technology).
Delighted by the unanimous vote, Tracy Mayor Pro Tem, Veronica Vargas, who serves as the Chair of the Valley Link Board, said, “I am proud that we have reached this important project milestone that moves the project closer toward completion. The project will bring congestion relief to more than 97,900 commuters travelling daily over the Altamont Pass.”
The Board also approved a Mitigation Monitoring Plan for the Valley Link project that includes a range of measures that are focused on minimizing possible environmental impacts. Encouraged by the Environmental Impact Report, Dublin Mayor, Melissa Hernandez, who is Vice Chair of the Valley Link Board, said, “I am pleased we are making these important commitments to support the environment and proud that we are continuing to move the project forward.”
The first Valley Link trains could be placed into service in 2028. To learn more about the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority, visit www.ValleyLinkRail.com.
