Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board authorizes Green Line planning partnership; SACRT says light rail to airport faces major cost and right‑of‑way hurdles
Summary
Directors approved a staff recommendation to partner with Sacramento Regional Transit on a Caltrans planning grant for a Green Line bus rapid transit feasibility study after SACRT staff said light‑rail extension to the airport would cost over $2 billion and requires replacement of a key bridge and preservation of expiring right‑of‑way.
The Sacramento Transportation Authority on Nov. 13 authorized staff to partner with Sacramento Regional Transit District on a Caltrans planning grant to study a Green Line route to Sacramento International Airport, endorsing a near‑term bus rapid transit (BRT) approach while preserving the long‑term goal of light rail.
Anthony Adams, director of planning for Sacramento Regional Transit, told the board that an LPA and environmental clearance for a light‑rail extension exist but that three principal obstacles have blocked progress: the need to replace the Truxtell Bridge (estimated at about $250,000,000), the bridge’s lack of environmental clearance and the absence of committed local funding for a project SACRT estimates at more than $2,000,000,000.
"The light rail to the airport is estimated to cost over $2,000,000,000," Adams said, and added that BRT would cost about a quarter of that amount and deliver roughly half of the light‑rail ridership while allowing use of the corridor before rails are installed. Adams noted a critical right‑of‑way expiration in 2029 and said a BRT interim alignment could help preserve the corridor for eventual rail conversion.
Board members voiced a mix of long‑term preference for rail and pragmatic support for interim solutions. Director Talamantes said light rail remains a priority for communities north of the river and emphasized the importance of the Truxtell Bridge for connectivity and federal funding opportunity. Director Dickinson warned that delay has driven up costs and said interim improvements may be useful to build transit support.
The board voted to approve the staff recommendation to pursue the Caltrans grant partnership and the BRT feasibility study; the clerk announced, "The motion passes." No roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.
Staff framed the BRT study as an interim step that could be converted to light rail when funding and right‑of‑way issues are resolved, and they said preserving the corridor is a near‑term priority because of the 2029 right‑of‑way expiration.
The study authorizes planning work and does not obligate STA to fund construction; board members requested continued coordination with regional partners on bridge funding, corridor preservation and federal grant strategies.
Next steps: SACRT and STA staff will proceed with the Caltrans grant application and return to the board with study results and any recommended financing or phasing options.
