Transbay authority releases final environmental report for downtown rail extension

The Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) has issued a final supplemental environmental impact statement/environmental impact report (SEIS/EIR) for the downtown rail extension portion of the Transbay Program’s second phase in San Francisco.

The final SEIS/EIR meets the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and California Environmental Quality Act, and updates an earlier environmental report certified by the TJPA in 2004 and adopted by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in 2005.

The TJPA, FTA and Federal Railroad Administration previously had prepared a draft SEIS/EIR to evaluate refinements to the proposed project, which calls for extending a Caltrain commuter-rail line from Fourth and King streets to the new downtown transit center.

The extension also would incorporate the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s future high-speed rail service to the transit center.

The 1.3-mile extension principally would be built below grade using cut-and-cover and mined tunneling methods. The project includes an underground Caltrain station at Fourth and Townsend streets, six structures for emergency exits, and ventilation, utility relocation and rail system work.

The TJPA’s board will consider the final SEIS/EIR at its Dec. 13 meeting.