Federal grant to help fund rail line relocation study in northern California

The cities of Davis, West Sacramento and Woodland, Calif., along with Yolo County and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency have been a awarded a $171,180 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to study the relocation of the Yolo rail line.

The multi-agency study will analyze the benefits of relocating the line that runs through Woodland and Davis, and extending rail service to a 900-acre industrial park in Woodland, the west side of West Sacramento and the Port of West Sacramento. The route connects with a Union Pacific Railroad line near downtown Davis.

The study — which will include a stakeholder and public outreach component — will focus on economic opportunities presented by increased rail access for agribusiness and other industries, the redevelopment of urban corridors now impacted by rail lines and the potential for new, sustainable employment, city of Woodland officials said in a press release.

"Relocating the rail from its current alignment is part of a big dream for Woodland's future," said Mayor Tom Stallard. "Moving the tracks east of our city would contribute to economic development by liberating many stranded acres around the tracks for new opportunities."

In addition, the relocated line would improve safety by eliminating more than a dozen grade crossings in Woodland and Davis, and prompt the removal of a short-line trestle over the Yolo Bypass to improve flood protection for the Central Valley, he said.