January 10, 2018
Brian P. Kelly, Secretary
California State Transportation Agency
915 Capitol Mall, Suite 350B
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Secretary Kelly,
The Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association would like to express our strong support for the grant application submitted by the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission that seeks funding under the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program. The proposed project will use rail infrastructure to better connect travelers in the Sacramento region to the San Joaquin Valley and the Bay Area, and the planned improvements to passenger rail service will dramatically improve the regional transportation network and transform how Californians move through the Central Valley and beyond.
Most important to us, the funding will enable buildout of new stations located in Lodi, Elk Grove, Sacramento City College, Midtown Sacramento, Old North Sacramento, and Natomas. These new station locations will serve the region well, and a shuttle connection between the Natomas station and the Sacramento International Airport offers a travel solution for residents throughout the Valley.
The SJJPA/SJRRC proposed rail project would bring major benefits for the entire Central Valley region, including better access in Sacramento with new platforms, especially at Sacramento City College. This would give our neighborhood riders access to multiple stations that serve the region in convenient locations and connect to the Sacramento Regional Transit network.
Our neighborhood would also profit from direct connection to Bay Area markets. Sacramento is part of a growing mega-region with key economic opportunities that depend on easy access to the Bay Area.
This project would also bring significant environmental benefits by reducing car travel and congestion, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The GHG benefits of rail would continue to grow over time as frequency increases and rider population grows.
SCNA strongly supports this plan for improved passenger rail. Overall, we see this project as an important strategy to reduce congestion, improve quality of life, and pursue a comprehensive and more sustainable transportation network for our future.
Thank you for considering the SJJPA/SJRRC grant application.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Johnson, President
Sierra Curtis Neighborhood Association