Caltrain's board OKs final environmental report, peninsula corridor electrification project

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board has certified the final environmental impact report and approved the planned electrification of the Caltrain corridor between San Jose and San Francisco, the agency announced last week.

The environmental report and responses and comments made on the draft version of the document were presented to the board and made available to the public last month, Caltrain officials said in a press release.

Estimated to cost $1.47 billion to $1.53 billion, the Peninsula corridor electrification project is part of Caltrain's modernization program, which calls for electrification of the corridor, the purchase of new electric multiple units, upgrades to Caltrain's signal system and the implementation of positive train control.

By 2040, an electrified system will reduce Caltrain emissions by up to 97 percent, more than double current weekday ridership with increased service and the downtown San Francisco extension, and take more than 600,000 vehicle miles off the region's roads each day, Caltrain officials said.

The final environmental report reduced by half the original estimate of tree removal on or adjacent to the right of way.

Caltrain officials expect to begin operating electrified service between winter 2020 and spring 2021.