Funding all aboard for train station

Funding all aboard for train station
By Barry Eberling | DAILY REPUBLIC | December 02, 2008

FAIRFIELD - Fairfield has the $40 million it needs to build a train station for a targeted opening in November 2013.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission is providing $9 million in bridge toll money toward the project. MTC made the decision last week.

'That completes the funding,' Fairfield Mayor Harry Price said Tuesday.

The Fairfield-Vacaville train station is to be located at Vanden and Peabody roads. It is to be the heart of a mass transit-oriented community that Fairfield is planning, with businesses and high-density development to take advantage of the trains and buses.

Other money for the station is coming from federal and state grants, developer fees and other sources that Fairfield has stitched together over several years.

The City Council could take action on the train station on Dec. 16, said Price, who added that he wants to bring on an experienced project manager.

The Capitol Corridor train service has already designated the Vanden Road location for a stop. The service runs from Auburn to San Jose, with the only existing Solano County stop in Suisun City. Riders can connect with BART at the Richmond station.

Environmental reports for the project must still be completed. Price expects ground-breaking for construction to take place in about 18 months.

See the complete story at the Daily Republic online.