PROJECT WEBSITE: https://stocktondiamond.com/resources/

All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
COMPLETE

COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
07/28/2022

2 out of 2

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED

SECTOR
Surface Transportation

CATEGORY
Project Category DOT Projects

LEAD AGENCY
California, High Speed Rail

Description:

The Stockton Diamond is the busiest, most congested at-grade railway junction in California. The current, at-grade configuration of the tracks results in significant delays to Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and BNSF Railway (BNSF) freight trains serving their nationwide networks and the Port of Stockton, as well as other freight and passenger trains in the area. These delays make the Stockton Diamond the worst freight rail bottleneck in California, limiting the capacity of the Port of Stockton for growth and inhibiting the expansion of the Amtrak San Joaquins and Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) service through the region.

The Stockton Diamond Grade Separation project would grade separate the two north-south UPRR mainline tracks from the two east-west BNSF mainline tracks. Project scope also includes bike, pedestrian, and roadway improvements at ten at-grade local road crossings in the City of Stockton, enhancing safety and access for residents.

The construction of the grade separation would provide for an uninterrupted flow of rail through the crossing, which will improve freight movements and lead to lower costs for freight shipping, reduced delays, and a decrease in fuel consumption for idling locomotives. This increase in throughput and velocity of freight trains translates to cost savings for Port customers and the freight railroads, allowing for continued growth and improved efficiency. In addition, the project would allow for freight and passenger trains to pass through the Stockton Diamond at faster speeds.

There are numerous benefits to the public as well, including:

• Facilitating expansion of ACE and Amtrak San Joaquins services
• Improved reliability of ACE and Amtrak San Joaquins services
• Travel time savings from a reduction in freight delays
• Fuel cost savings from a reduction in idling
• Greater efficiency for freight rail movement
• Improved air quality in a disadvantaged area of Downtown Stockton
• Reduced blockage and delays for pedestrians and motorists at key local road crossings
• Improved access to the Port of Stockton

In total, the project would benefit several services utilizing the BNSF and UP lines in the area, including:

• Union Pacific freight trains on the UP Fresno Subdivision and at the Port of Stockton
• BNSF freight trains on the BNSF Stockton
• Amtrak San Joaquins intercity trains
• ACE commuter trains
• Central California Traction Company (CCT) trains from the Port of Stockton
• Stockton Terminal & Eastern (STE) trains in the area

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the State of California, working through the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated July 23, 2019, and executed by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the State of California. As specified in the MOU, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assignment Program the FRA has assigned its federal environmental review responsibilities to the Authority. However, the FRA retains responsibility for certain activities including performing Clean Air Act conformity determinations and conducting formal government-to-government tribal consultations. Otherwise, the Authority is the federal lead agency for this project.