New Train Station in Lodi
As Steve Mann reports in his most recent About Town: New Choo-Choo:
…“a new Lodi train station will be built—about four miles out of town. City Councilwoman Lisa Craig-Hensley, who chairs the San Joaquin Rail Commission, says the new station will be at Highway 12 and the Union Pacific tracks west of town”…
This station is part of the ambitious Valley Rail project, which aims to significantly expand passenger rail service in the San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento region[1]. The new station represents a major transportation infrastructure investment that will enhance connectivity for residents and visitors to the wine country capital of San Joaquin - Lodi.
Project Overview
The new Lodi station is part of the Valley Rail program, a joint initiative that includes improvements and expansions of both ACE (Altamont Corridor Express) and Amtrak San Joaquins services[2]. The project focuses on improving rail connections between Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valley, with the Lodi station serving as a key component in this expanded network[1].
Station Location and Design
The planned Lodi station will be located along the Union Pacific Sacramento Subdivision on the west side of town, specifically on Highway 12 near Devries Road[1]. Two alternative locations were initially considered during the planning process[13]:
Primary Location (Alternative 1): A 13-acre site along the south side of State Route 12, just east of the existing Union Pacific Railroad alignment, with access provided from SR 12 and Devries Road[16].
Alternative Location: A 15-acre site along the north side of West Harney Lane, also east of the railroad alignment, with access from West Harney Lane and Devries Road[16].
The station will be positioned approximately 6 miles west of the existing Lodi Transit Center, which is more centrally located in the city[1].
Station Features and Amenities
The new Lodi station is designed to serve as a modern transportation hub with comprehensive facilities[12]. Key features will include:
Center platform: A 30-foot-wide by 1,000-foot-long passenger platform designed to accommodate trains in both directions[16]
Pedestrian infrastructure: A pedestrian tunnel with ramps and stairs for safe access to the platform, located approximately 12 feet below existing grade[16]
Parking facilities: Surface parking lot providing approximately 240 parking spaces[16]
Transit connections: Three bus bays to facilitate connections with local and regional bus services[16]
Track improvements: New double track leading in and out of the station, plus a three-mile siding[12]
Passenger amenities: Platform shelters (8-10 feet high), benches, lighting, security cameras, signage, ticketing machines, bicycle storage facilities, landscaping, and emergency call boxes[16]
Construction Timeline and Status
The Lodi station is scheduled to open in 2027, according to current project timelines[1]. However, the Valley Rail project has experienced delays due to various challenges, including complex coordination with Union Pacific Railroad and environmental review processes[8].
Recent project updates indicate that work in fiscal year 2023-24 focused on finalizing plans and specifications, right-of-way acquisition, securing permits, and initiating utility relocation[12]. The California Transportation Commission has allocated additional funding for the right-of-way phase, including a supplemental $4 million allocation in 2023 for the Lodi station component[5].
Project Investment and Funding
The Lodi station represents a significant investment in regional transportation infrastructure, with a total project cost of $60,007,000[12]. The station is funded through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), with the California Transportation Commission overseeing fund allocations[5].
The broader Valley Rail program received substantial state funding, including $500.5 million awarded in 2018 for the Sacramento extension and $400 million for the southern extension to Merced[2].
Service and Connectivity
Once operational, the new Lodi station will provide enhanced rail connectivity options for residents and visitors[2]. The station will serve both ACE and Amtrak San Joaquins services, offering connections to:
San Francisco Bay Area: Via ACE service extending from the current Stockton terminus
Sacramento: Through the Valley Rail northern extension
Central Valley destinations: Including connections to Modesto, Merced, and other Valley Rail stations
Existing Amtrak network: Connecting to broader intercity rail services[2]
Strategic Importance
The Lodi station serves a key catchment area in northern San Joaquin County and is strategically positioned in the heart of local wine country, making it potentially attractive for tourism[12]. The station will complement existing transportation options in Lodi, which currently include daily Amtrak passenger service and freight rail operations by Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF [7].
The new station represents part of California's broader strategy to expand passenger rail service and reduce automotive dependency, while providing improved transportation options for residents of the rapidly growing San Joaquin Valley region[2].
Sources
[1] Lodi station (Altamont Corridor Express) - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lodi_station_(Altamont_Corridor_Express)
[2] Valley Rail - San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission https://www.sjrrc.com/valley-rail/
[3] Lodi, CA (LOD) - Amtrak https://www.amtrak.com/stations/lod
[4] Lodi Transit Station - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lodi_Transit_Station
[5] [PDF] CTC Book Item 2.6g.(11) Supplemental TIRCP SJRRC Valley Rail ... https://catc.ca.gov/-/media/ctc-media/documents/ctc-meetings/2023/2023-05/107-2-6g11-a11y
[6] [PDF] California State Rail Plan December 2024 - Caltrans https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/rail-mass-transportation/documents/california-state-rail-plan/20241203-appendices-a11y.pdf
[7] Rail | Lodi, CA https://www.lodi.gov/539/Rail
[8] What's Holding Up Valley Rail? | Comstock's magazine https://www.comstocksmag.com/article/whats-holding-valley-rail
[9] Work on ACE passenger platform will start in 2024 - Manteca Bulletin https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/work-ace-passenger-platform-will-start-2024/
[10] Altamont Corridor Express - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altamont_Corridor_Express
[11] Transit Briefs: ACE, Amtrak, BART, Brightline West - Railway Age https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/transit-briefs-ace-amtrak-bart-brightline-west/
[12] [PDF] FY 23/24 - Cloudfront.net https://d2j5fyfnufxt9o.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/20240507074706/SJRRC_WP23_24.pdf
[13] [PDF] Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report Valley Rail ... https://files.ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/255451-2/attachment/sfTnv-ogqzSiLL34hZdODkN8jmFdCZ-0wvCnKhEaGi9bntx7DOD-w8qH53e7RBWptAr710HYFKdVMvz50
[14] GETTING TO SF FROM MANTECA BY TRAIN(S) https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/getting-to-sf-from-manteca-by-trains/
[15] [PDF] Appendix A - San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority https://cdn.sjjpa.com/wp-content/uploads/Valley-Rail-Sacramento-Extention-Project-DEIR-Appx-A-NOP-and-Scoping.pdf
[16] [PDF] Appendix D - ACE Rail https://cdn.acerail.com/wp-content/uploads/Appx-D-Valley-Rail-Sac-Ext-Project-DEIR-Cultural-Sept-2020.pdf
[17] [PDF] Appendix D - San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority https://cdn.sjjpa.com/wp-content/uploads/%E2%80%9CAppendix-D-%E2%80%93-Supporting-Cultural-Resources-Information-Part-1%E2%80%9D.pdf
[18] [PDF] SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL RAIL COMMISSION BOARD MEETING ... https://d2j5fyfnufxt9o.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/20240830180516/SJRRC-September-6-2024-Board-Meeting-Agenda-Packet.pdf
[19] [PDF] 2024 Business Plan Update - San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority https://cdn.sjjpa.com/wp-content/uploads/20240610084720/2024-SJJPA-Business-Plan-Update.pdf
[20] [PDF] REGULAR BOARD MEETING Friday, May 17, 2024 https://cdn.sjjpa.com/wp-content/uploads/20240513195535/SJJPA-May-17-2024-Board-Meeting-Agenda-Packet.pdf
[21] [PDF] 2.6g.(2) Remediated - California Transportation Commission https://catc.ca.gov/-/media/ctc-media/documents/ctc-meetings/2022/2022-08/82-2-6g2-a11y.pdf
[22] [PDF] 2024 Interregional Transportation Improvement Program (ITIP) https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/financial-programming/documents/2024-final-itip-december-2023-final.pdf
[23] [PDF] Allocation Amendment - California Transportation Commission https://catc.ca.gov/-/media/ctc-media/documents/ctc-meetings/2023/2023-08/59-2-6g13-a11y
[24] SJJPA, SJRRC Receive Funding for Valley Rail Program ... https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/commuterregional/sjjpa-sjrrc-receive-funding-for-valley-rail-program/
[25] [PDF] FY 24/25 - Cloudfront.net https://d2j5fyfnufxt9o.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/20240624095354/SJRRC_WP24_25_FNL_SIGNED.pdf
[26] Start of expanded Altamont Corridor Express service pushed back https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/start-of-expanded-altamont-corridor-express-service-pushed-back/
[27] Shirtsleeve Session - Lodi https://lodica.granicus.com/MinutesViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1101
[28] Rail Transit | San Joaquin Council of Governments, CA https://www.sjcog.org/484/Rail-Transit
[29] Contract Opportunities - San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission https://www.sjrrc.com/contract-opportunities/