Bridge and Culvert Inspection Project
At the August 1, 2022, SPTC-JPA Board Meeting, Board members discussed conducting a comprehensive master plan process for the SPTC-JPA corridor. The Board recommended staff investigate going through a master plan process to determine future uses within the JPA corridor. This included authorization to evaluate the trackage and bridge structures between the Folsom Wye property and Missouri Flat Road to have background information on the condition of the corridor in order to conduct a JPA-directed master planning process. At the meeting, the Board approved an increase in the CIP Budget in the not to exceed the amount of $100,000 for Trackage and Bridge Evaluations.
Currently, there are three uses on and adjacent to the JPA corridor. One is the Excursion Rail run by P&SVRR from Folsom to El Dorado County line, with the license agreement expiring in 2023. Another is Western Railroad which operates within El Dorado County from Shingle Springs to Placerville. The other use is the Natural Surface Trail project which is currently under construction.
On June 30, 2023, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to qualified and experienced engineering consultants to provide inspection services along the SPTC-JPA corridor. The requested bridge and culvert facilities inspection services would span approximately 33 miles of the tracks from the Wye property, at the intersection of Folsom Boulevard and Bidwell Street in the City of Folsom, to Missouri Flat Road in the City of Placerville. After reviewing the proposals, the review team deemed Dokken Engineering as best qualified to provide bridge and culvert inspection services. Click here to view Scope of Work included in Dokken’s proposal. On August 7, 2023, the Board approved the cost proposal from Dokken Engineers.
Dokken Engineering completed its inspection services in February 2024. Their findings are summarized in two reports. Click here to view the bridge report and click here to view the culvert report. This project will be an agenda item on the May 13, 2024, Board Meeting, and a consultant from Dokken Engineering will attend.
Trail Development Project
During 2014 and 2015 the SPTC-JPA Board approved $55,000 for a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to develop ten miles of nature trail extending from Latrobe Road in El Dorado County (EDC), traversing through a segment in Sacramento County, and ending at Iron Point Road in Folsom.
The Trail Development Project requires completion of any CEQA action necessary; refining the trail's path in Sacramento County, Folsom, and EDC; engineering corrective measures throughout the 10-mile corridor for areas of constraint; smoothing and refining the existing riding surface in EDC and blazing a new riding surface in Sacramento County and Folsom; and providing signage for rail and trail users throughout the Project.
The current effort on the Project has been to complete a CEQA analysis. At the Novemeber 03, 2014 JPA Board Meeting, the Board approved a $53,050 contract with Foothill Associates to perform resource studies along the 10-mile trail development project as required by the SPTC Master Plan EIR, and in support of preparing the CEQA analysis for the 3-mile segment of the project not already addressed under CEQA. The scope of work included completing the necessary resource studies, design refinement as needed for CEQA, and preparation of an Initial Study and Mitigated Negated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Project. The following documents identified above, are available for viewing:
The EIR and IS/MND has identified five (5) Permits that have been prepared and submitted applications for the construction phase to commence after the IS/MND was approved by the JPA Board, and the Notice of Determination (NOD) was filed:
At the November 2, 2015 Board Meeting, the JPA Board approved a Resolution approving the IS/MND, adopting the Mitigation Monitoring Program, approving the JPA's Natural Trail Project, and directing JPA Staff to File the Notice of Determination (NOD). The NOD was filed with the County of Sacramento on November 6, 2015, with a copy to the State Clearing House.
Click here to review a copy of the Board Resolution
Click here to review an endorsed copy of the NOD
On November 19, 2015, the JPA Staff conducted a workshop to take the next steps in formulating a plan to construct the project. At the meeting, attendees examined the volunteer potential for equipment, material and labor, and looked at methods and designs that may reduce potential costs. Defining this information will ultimately result in developing a realistic project cost estimate and pursue potential sources for funding. The ultimate goal is to produce a Construction Implementation Plan. In addition to staff member from each JPA member agency, the attendees included four members of the public with knowledge and expertise in trail development and usage.
The JPA has applied for the 2016 Doppelt Family Trail Development Grant Rails to Trails and was not a winner. The JPA will be submitting for the 2017 Doppelt grant cycle.
Excursion Rail
In January, 2008, the JPA issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from firms and individuals with experience, knowledge and qualifications necessary to operate an excursion rail service on a portion of the Rail Corridor covering approximately twenty six (26) miles situated between the "Folsom Wye" (approximately milepost 111) In the City of Folsom, and Shingle Springs Station (approximately milepost 137) in El Dorado County. The RFP required that the excursion rail service be operated without public subsidy and in such a manner as to preserve the excess width of the Rail Corridor for other potential uses, including natural trails, bicycle trails and equestrian trails.
Pursuant to the RFP, on May 12, 2008, the JPA's Board of Directors selected the Placerville and Sacramento Valley Railroad, Inc. (P&SVRR) and it's affiliate, the Folsom, El Dorado and Sacramento Historic Railroad Association (FEDSHRA) as the entity with which to negotiate the operation of the excursion rail service.
At the May 2, 2011 Special JPA Board Meeting, the Board adopted a Resolution directing the CEO to forward the License Agreement for Excursion Rail Services to the City of Folsom and the Counties of Sacramento and El Dorado for approval, and upon receipt of such approval, to execute and deliver the License Agreement, together with any changes requested by the foregoing affected JPA member agencies.
The License Agreement was presented to the affected JPA member agencies as follows:
On November 5, 2012 the JPA Board approved the License Agreement which provides for operating segments on the City of Folsom and Sacramento County, and has removed all operations in the El Dorado County corridor.
The License Agreement was executed on February 1, 2013, and had a term of 5 years, it was renewed again in 2019.
Click here to see a copy of the signed License Agreement.
At the August 1, 2022, SPTC-JPA Board Meeting, Board members discussed conducting a comprehensive master plan process for the SPTC-JPA corridor. The Board recommended staff investigate going through a master plan process to determine future uses within the JPA corridor. This included authorization to evaluate the trackage and bridge structures between the Folsom Wye property and Missouri Flat Road to have background information on the condition of the corridor in order to conduct a JPA-directed master planning process. At the meeting, the Board approved an increase in the CIP Budget in the not to exceed the amount of $100,000 for Trackage and Bridge Evaluations.
Currently, there are three uses on and adjacent to the JPA corridor. One is the Excursion Rail run by P&SVRR from Folsom to El Dorado County line, with the license agreement expiring in 2023. Another is Western Railroad which operates within El Dorado County from Shingle Springs to Placerville. The other use is the Natural Surface Trail project which is currently under construction.
On June 30, 2023, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to qualified and experienced engineering consultants to provide inspection services along the SPTC-JPA corridor. The requested bridge and culvert facilities inspection services would span approximately 33 miles of the tracks from the Wye property, at the intersection of Folsom Boulevard and Bidwell Street in the City of Folsom, to Missouri Flat Road in the City of Placerville. After reviewing the proposals, the review team deemed Dokken Engineering as best qualified to provide bridge and culvert inspection services. Click here to view Scope of Work included in Dokken’s proposal. On August 7, 2023, the Board approved the cost proposal from Dokken Engineers.
Dokken Engineering completed its inspection services in February 2024. Their findings are summarized in two reports. Click here to view the bridge report and click here to view the culvert report. This project will be an agenda item on the May 13, 2024, Board Meeting, and a consultant from Dokken Engineering will attend.
Trail Development Project
During 2014 and 2015 the SPTC-JPA Board approved $55,000 for a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to develop ten miles of nature trail extending from Latrobe Road in El Dorado County (EDC), traversing through a segment in Sacramento County, and ending at Iron Point Road in Folsom.
The Trail Development Project requires completion of any CEQA action necessary; refining the trail's path in Sacramento County, Folsom, and EDC; engineering corrective measures throughout the 10-mile corridor for areas of constraint; smoothing and refining the existing riding surface in EDC and blazing a new riding surface in Sacramento County and Folsom; and providing signage for rail and trail users throughout the Project.
The current effort on the Project has been to complete a CEQA analysis. At the Novemeber 03, 2014 JPA Board Meeting, the Board approved a $53,050 contract with Foothill Associates to perform resource studies along the 10-mile trail development project as required by the SPTC Master Plan EIR, and in support of preparing the CEQA analysis for the 3-mile segment of the project not already addressed under CEQA. The scope of work included completing the necessary resource studies, design refinement as needed for CEQA, and preparation of an Initial Study and Mitigated Negated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Project. The following documents identified above, are available for viewing:
- SPTC JPA Nature Trail Cultural Resources Report - Click here
- SPTC JPA Nature Trail WD - Click here
- SPTC JPA Design Refinement Report - Click here
- SPTC JPA Nature Trail BRA Report - Click here
- IS/MND - Click here
The EIR and IS/MND has identified five (5) Permits that have been prepared and submitted applications for the construction phase to commence after the IS/MND was approved by the JPA Board, and the Notice of Determination (NOD) was filed:
- Clean Water Act Section 404 Nationwide Permit 42 (Submitted September 2, 2016)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 106 Cultural Resource Assessment (Submitted September 2, 2016)
- Federal Endangered Species Section 7 Consultation – U.S. Fish and Wildlife (Submitted September 2, 2016)
- Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) Section 401 Water Quality Certification (Submitted October 4, 2016)
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) 1600 Streambed Alteration Notification (Submitted October 4, 2016)
At the November 2, 2015 Board Meeting, the JPA Board approved a Resolution approving the IS/MND, adopting the Mitigation Monitoring Program, approving the JPA's Natural Trail Project, and directing JPA Staff to File the Notice of Determination (NOD). The NOD was filed with the County of Sacramento on November 6, 2015, with a copy to the State Clearing House.
Click here to review a copy of the Board Resolution
Click here to review an endorsed copy of the NOD
On November 19, 2015, the JPA Staff conducted a workshop to take the next steps in formulating a plan to construct the project. At the meeting, attendees examined the volunteer potential for equipment, material and labor, and looked at methods and designs that may reduce potential costs. Defining this information will ultimately result in developing a realistic project cost estimate and pursue potential sources for funding. The ultimate goal is to produce a Construction Implementation Plan. In addition to staff member from each JPA member agency, the attendees included four members of the public with knowledge and expertise in trail development and usage.
The JPA has applied for the 2016 Doppelt Family Trail Development Grant Rails to Trails and was not a winner. The JPA will be submitting for the 2017 Doppelt grant cycle.
Excursion Rail
In January, 2008, the JPA issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from firms and individuals with experience, knowledge and qualifications necessary to operate an excursion rail service on a portion of the Rail Corridor covering approximately twenty six (26) miles situated between the "Folsom Wye" (approximately milepost 111) In the City of Folsom, and Shingle Springs Station (approximately milepost 137) in El Dorado County. The RFP required that the excursion rail service be operated without public subsidy and in such a manner as to preserve the excess width of the Rail Corridor for other potential uses, including natural trails, bicycle trails and equestrian trails.
Pursuant to the RFP, on May 12, 2008, the JPA's Board of Directors selected the Placerville and Sacramento Valley Railroad, Inc. (P&SVRR) and it's affiliate, the Folsom, El Dorado and Sacramento Historic Railroad Association (FEDSHRA) as the entity with which to negotiate the operation of the excursion rail service.
At the May 2, 2011 Special JPA Board Meeting, the Board adopted a Resolution directing the CEO to forward the License Agreement for Excursion Rail Services to the City of Folsom and the Counties of Sacramento and El Dorado for approval, and upon receipt of such approval, to execute and deliver the License Agreement, together with any changes requested by the foregoing affected JPA member agencies.
The License Agreement was presented to the affected JPA member agencies as follows:
- Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. On July 26, 2011, the item was on consent and was ratified unanimously.
- City of Folsom Council. On July 26, 2011, the item was on consent and was ratified unanimously.
- On September 24, 2012, a later version of the License Agreement was presented to the EDC Board of Supervisors for action. The License Agreement was rejected by the Board on a vote of 3 to 2.
On November 5, 2012 the JPA Board approved the License Agreement which provides for operating segments on the City of Folsom and Sacramento County, and has removed all operations in the El Dorado County corridor.
The License Agreement was executed on February 1, 2013, and had a term of 5 years, it was renewed again in 2019.
Click here to see a copy of the signed License Agreement.