Work moving slowly on Elk Grove's ACE commuter rail station
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2024/07/work-moving-slowly-on-elk-groves-ace.html
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Future parking lot for Elk Grove's ACE commuter rail station. | |
UPDATED 7:30 p.m. |
A transportation project that will connect Elk Grove to Silicon Valley is showing signs of progress, albeit slowly.
Work on the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) station on Dwight Road on the city's westside appears to have started. The initial activity shows that the area that will be the station's parking lot has been cleared of boats, trailers, and recreational vehicles.
The picture above was taken on the afternoon of Saturday, June 29. The photo below was taken this morning.
In the last two weeks, very little has progressed. The pile of what appears to be cement is unchanged, and the area where the concrete was removed has not been improved.
The opening date has been delayed - it is now expected to start operation by late 2026. In 2021, project proponents promised the facility to be operational by 2025.
In December, officials explained the reason for the delays to Elk Grove News. Officials pointed blame at Union Pacific, the owner of the railroad corridor for the commuter trains, and other stakeholder who created they said created bottlenecks.
The storage area purchase cleared escrow last February amidst a swirl of media coverage. At the time, a slew of elected and bureaucratic officials said construction was expected to start in 2025 with a targeted opening date of late 2026.
While the parking lot work has been initiated, no visible evidence of work on the rails or passenger platform has started. When operational, the station will not be staffed with personnel.
The station will enhance transportation options, especially for those commuting to Silicon Valley, the terminus, and points in between. Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen praised the station, saying it will provide Elk Grove with economic development opportunities.
Years earlier Elk Grove District 1 City Councilman Darren Suen also spoke glowingly of the projects. During a Zoom meeting Suen said "It will enable us to attract more jobs from the Silicon Valley,"
Notwithstanding the mayor and councilmen's rosy outlook, there are concerns about unintended consequences. In particular, the expected arrival of highly paid Silicon Valley tech workers could significantly increase housing demand, worsening Elk Grove's housing affordability crisis and potentially displacing local residents from the housing market.
UPDATED 7:30 p.m.
These picture were taken this afternoon to offer a better comparison to the picture taken on June 29.
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