California Transportation Commission Reserves $7.5 Million for Phase 1 of King City’s Accelerated Access Rail Platform & Multi-Modal Transit Center

On March 16, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved a $7.5 million rail reserve from the Interregional Improvement Program for Phase 1 of King City’s Accelerated Access Rail Platform and Multi-Modal Transit Center (MMTC). This represents a significant first step in funding the $28 million needed for construction of Phase I and can be leveraged to help obtain the additional funding. Mayor Mike LeBarre, who has been actively pursuing funding for the station said, “This is amazing! It’s an exciting time for our city…We could not have made it this far without the strong support from Caltrans, CalSTA, Amtrak and all our regional partners.” The MMTC is widely supported, including: Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL), Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST), Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD), Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), Monterey County Board of Supervisors, Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG). According to City Manager Steve Adams, “City staff has done an amazing job making progress on this complex project, which has truly been a team effort working with all our partners to bring new mobility opportunities for our region that will benefit the residents of our underserved rural community.” The project will increase connectivity, access to jobs and services benefiting low-income and underserved minority communities, provide new housing opportunities and promote economic development. Additionally, it will support Fort Hunter Liggett’s resiliency goals and the U.S. Army’s Energy and Environmental Sustainability efforts to reduce emissions and its carbon footprint. Community Development Director Doreen Liberto-Blanck said, “The MMTC will enhance our economic development efforts while providing an alternative to vehicular travel, reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions, and improving air quality.” City Engineer Octavio Hurtado added, “The City has been working on this since 2006 and our project will reestablish the historic 1886 passenger rail station, King Station and provide new rail access to travelers on the Central Coast.” King City’s Accelerated Rail Platform and Multi-Modal Transit Center will bring back passenger service which ended in the 1940s. Amtrak has stated they intend to use the King City platform for the Coast Starlight which runs from Los Angeles to Seattle, Washington. Phase 1 consists of the construction of the accelerated rail platform, rail realignment, parking lot, and staging area for Fort Hunter Liggett which serves as a training facility for all U.S. military service branches and hosts approximately 50,000 visitors and soldiers annually. Questions can be directed to City Hall at 831-385-3281. Sincerely, Steven Adams City Manager