STOCKTON, Calif. — Southward expansion of the Altamont Corridor Express commuter rail service to Merced, Calif., received a key administrative boost Friday, as the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission approved the final environmental report for the new segment.
The Modesto Bee reports that the vote concludes an environmental review that began in June 2020. It opens the door for engineering and construction work that means the latest expansion could begin operation in 2025. It will use approximately 35 miles of Union Pacific trackage, with stations in Turlock, Livingston, and Merced. Portions of the Union Pacific route will be double tracked to reduce conflicts with freight traffic.
ACE currently operates between San Jose and Stockton, with expansions southward to Manteca, Ripon, Modesto, and Cere, and a northward branch to Sacramento, previously approved. Those additions are expected to begin operation in 2023.
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