The Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority held its inaugural Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 17. The Authority was created by the California Legislature in 2017 to plan, develop and deliver cost-effective transit connectivity between the Bay Area Rapid Transit District’s (BART) rapid transit system and the Altamont Corridor Express’ (ACE) commuter rail service.

After the 15 board members were sworn in and welcomed by California Assemblymembers Catharine Baker (San Ramon) and Susan Eggman (Stockton), a Chair and Vice Chair were elected. Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty was elected as Chair and Tracy Mayor Pro Tem Veronica Vargas was elected Vice Chair.

Supervisor Haggerty noted the significance of the occasion, “As an Alameda County Supervisor who has spent the past 22 years on both sides of the Altamont Pass – for the BART extension and as a member of the ACE Board – this is a very important day. We have members of jurisdictions on both sides of the Altamont Pass sitting down today as partners to collaboratively solve what has become a transportation crisis in the I-580 Corridor.”

Mayor Pro Tem Vargas thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve as Vice Chair, saying “Although I have not been working on this matter for as long as Supervisor Haggerty, I am deeply dedicated to the effort necessary to move this project forward. I appreciate the vote of confidence to have me represent the constituents on the San Joaquin County side of this project.”

 In other actions, the Board designated Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) Executive Director Michael Tree to serve as Executive Director and Secretary for the new rail authority, adopted a work program, a project timeline and an 18 month budget.

The authority’s primary purpose is to plan, develop and deliver cost-effective transit connectivity between the Bay Area Rapid Transit District's (BART) rapid transit system and the Altamont Corridor Express’ (ACE) commuter rail service. The Authority is to provide a project feasibility report to the public on the plans for the development and implementation of transit connectivity no later than July 1, 2019.

The Authority is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by its 15 member agencies, including: the Town of Danville, the cities of San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, Tracy, Manteca, Lathrop and Stockton, the Mountain House Community Services District, the counties of Alameda and San Joaquin, the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE).