Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) passenger rail service is eventually coming to Ripon with the earliest possible launch being 2028.
That would allow Ripon residents to board commuter trains in downtown to go as far as San Jose and Sacramento.
And while the exact timing for rail service hasn’t been solidified, municipal staff determined several of the planned infrastructure improvements could provide an immediate benefit to the City's transit operations and can be advanced independently of the station.
The Ripon City Council when they meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. will consider awarding a $125,00 contract with Westwood Professional Services, Inc. to prepare the design plans and specifications associated with the Phase 1 of ACE Station project located on Industrial Avenue.
The money is coming from a state Regional Early Action Planning grant awarded to pay for planning and infrastructure that links housing with sustainable multimodal transit.
The first phase work includes constructing a 44-stall parking lot planned for the east side of Industrial Avenue. The parking will support the city’s transit operations and could ultimately
It also involves removing the old Nestles water tower plus realigning and reconstructing Industrial Avenue from the proposed parking loot south to Main Street.
Future phases will include the ACE station and platform, parking facilities on the west side of Industrial Avenue, reconstruction of Industrial Avenue from Main Street to Fourth Street, reconstruction of Fourth Street from Industrial Avenue to Stockton Avenue, as well as signage, security, and other improvements associated with the planned ACE station.
The design of those improvements have been completed to a 60 percent level.
The improvements overall would establish the roadway configuration necessary to support the parking lot and improve circulation within the area.
The completed design and bidding documents will provide the City with a more reliable construction cost estimate that can be used to evaluate future funding opportunities.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
