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Committee backs forwarding freight‑tunnel partnership resolution to full Board after counsel review
Summary
A Cybertran/EarthGrid/UC‑Berkeley team pitched an unsolicited proposal for an underground ultra‑light rail freight system from the Port of Oakland to the Central Valley; the committee voted to forward a resolution recommending county involvement to the full Board, subject to County Counsel review and standard procurement checks.
An industry and university team pitched an unsolicited proposal on Sept. 18 to develop an underground ultra‑light rail freight system that would move containers and smaller freight between the Port of Oakland and inland intermodal centers.
Presenters from Cybertran, EarthGrid and UC Berkeley PATH described a system of automated, rubber‑tire vehicles running on a proprietary guideway, combined with fast plasma/laser tunnel‑boring technology. The team proposed an intermodal facility at the port, inland ports (for example near Tracy), and local manufacturing/maintenance (MOM) centers. EarthGrid's presenter said their boring technology can advance up to a half‑mile a day in rock and that the pilot could be delivered within a multi‑year timeframe once permits and funding are in place.
The project team said the system could reduce truck traffic, improve goods‑movement efficiency and support local manufacturing jobs. UC Berkeley PATH noted research and federal grants supporting autonomous freight technologies. County staff and supervisors stressed that any county involvement would be subject to County Counsel review and the county's procurement rules. The proposed committee action was to forward a resolution recommending collaboration and to seek County Counsel review; the committee made a motion and voted to forward the resolution to the full Board for consideration.
Why it matters: Moving freight off freeways and into dedicated infrastructure would affect traffic, air quality, port competitiveness and jobs. The proposal combines private technology with public planning and funding channels; it would require extensive environmental and permitting review and procurement compliance.
Next steps: Committee vote to forward the resolution to the full Board for consideration, with County Counsel review and procurement guidance before any county financial commitment.
