Light Rail Modernization Project

May 5, 2023 General, SacRT in Community

RIDER ALERTS

Station Platform Modifications: 
Light rail station platforms along the Gold and Blue lines need to be modified to provide access for riders on the new low-floor light rail vehicles. The station platforms are required to be at least eight inches above the top of rail track to allow for the ramp to deploy from the vehicle to the station platform with the proper slope for passengers to board. Most stations (48 of 53) serving the light rail system do not have platforms that meet the eight-inch requirement and will need to be raised.   Learn more at sacrt.com/stationclosure. 

Bus Bridges for New Train Testing: 
Beginning on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, bus bridges (special shuttle buses) are in place on the north area Blue Line between Watt/I-80 and Royal Oaks stations for testing the new low-floor trains on the tracks between those stations. The new trains are undergoing dynamic testing, which requires the trains to be on the track during revenue service to test multiple mechanical systems. Learn more at sacrt.com/traintesting.

In 1987, SacRT opened an 18.3-mile light rail system that linked northeastern (Interstate 80) and eastern (Highway 50) corridors with downtown Sacramento. The stations were equipped with mini-high platforms to allow ADA accessibility to the front light rail vehicle only.

Currently, SacRT operates on over 43-miles of track and provides service to 53 stations. Many of the original stations and facilities are still in service and both the technology and design need modernization. This modernization to major facilities includes double-tracking, signal upgrades, station remodeling, and power station replacement, which will improve accessibility and reliability.

SacRT is in the process of updating the light rail network with its Light Rail Modernization Project. This project will modernize the light rail system with new low-floor light rail vehicles, updated station platforms and a “passing track” in Folsom.  

SacRT Awarded $45 Million for New Low-Floor Light Rail Trains

On May 5, 2023, SacRT was awarded a $45.1 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support the purchase of 16 new light rail vehicles.

The grant through the FY22/23 Rail Vehicle Replacement Program, a new program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help SacRT towards the purchase of 16 new low-floor light rail vehicles from Siemens Mobility in south Sacramento. SacRT is one of six transit agencies nationwide and the only in FTA Region 9 to receive this grant.

SacRT previously purchased 28 new low-floor light rail trains from Siemens Mobility and has a contract to order up to 76. Those vehicles are currently undergoing a testing process before they can be put into service early next year. With the order of an additional 16 new low-floor trains, SacRT will have 44 new low-floor vehicles, which is close to two-thirds of all the vehicles needed to operate on our light rail system.

Learn more here: sacrt.com/apps/sacrt-awarded-45-million-by-fta-for-new-light-rail-vehicles/.

The Project Includes: 

  • Installing a second track or “passing track” between Parkshore Drive and Bidwell Street in Folsom to operate 15-minute service, between Sunrise and Historic Folsom Stations, rather than the existing 30-minute service.  
  • Purchase new low-floor light rail vehicles to modernize the aging light rail fleet. 
  • Station conversions to accommodate the new low-floor light rail vehicles.  

Learn more about the Light Rail Modernization Project 

 

Passing Track for Folsom Stations
 

New Low-Floor Light Rail Vehicles
 

Station Platform Modifications

Project Documents 

Aerial View of Project Location 

Folsom Gold Line Double Track Final IS-MND 

Folsom Double Track MMRP Final 

Folsom Double Track NEPA CatEx with approval

Folsom Double Track FTA NEPA CE Determination SacRT

For more information about the project email: modernization@sacrt.com

Past Meetings

March 14, 2022: SacRT Board approves construction contract with Aldridge Electric for the Light Rail Modernization 15-Minute Service to Folsom.   

January 13, 2022:  Folsom Gold Line Double Track Final IS-MND and Folsom Double Track MMRP Final was approved at the SacRT Board meeting.

December 9, 2019: A public meeting was held to provide members of the public an opportunity to make verbal comments on the Draft IS/MND. The meeting was held during SacRT’s regularly scheduled Board meeting.

June 20, 2019: A public meeting was held at the Rancho Cordova City Hall.

April 17, 2019: A public meeting was held at the Folsom Community Center.