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The proposed SR-84 Intermodal Bus Facility (the Project) is being designed promoting and improving multi-modal Transbay travel and connectivity at the Ardenwood Park & Ride. Combined with other regional transit efforts, like the South Bay Connect project, Transbay bus and private shuttle service connectivity from Alameda County to the Peninsula will support the transportation needs of our growing region.

The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), the project sponsor, is working in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the lead agency for the environmental process.

The Project is located on the SR-84 corridor situated between the cities of Newark and Fremont. The elevated bus facility would be built on a section of SR-84 east of Paseo Padre Parkway interchange and east of the Lake Boulevard overcrossing of the Union Pacific Railroad Coast Subdivision (just south of the Ardenwood Park & Ride facility). See project area map.

• Heavy traffic congestion on SR-84 caused by overcapacity conditions at the Dumbarton Bridge approach and traffic signal delays
• Delayed Transbay buses and employer shuttles have longer travel times as they follow a roundabout way to reach the congested Ardenwood Park & Ride
• A more efficient multi-modal connection is needed to improve travel times of Transbay bus and shuttle services and encourage a shift from car to bus and rail
• Improved transit connectivity between Alameda County and the Peninsula in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties

There are two proposed design alternatives. Alternatives 1 and 2 both support:

• Buses on/off SR-84
• Travel to Ardenwood Park & Ride
• Passenger boarding

Alternative 1
Highway MEDIAN Bus Stop Option

This design option has both eastbound and westbound buses stop at a median platform between the existing SR-84 travel lanes. From this platform, passengers would access the Ardenwood Park & Ride via an elevator or stairs to a pedestrian pathway below SR-84.

Alternative 2
Highway SPLIT Bus Stop Option

This design option would construct two bus stops along SR-84 to serve eastbound and westbound travel. Eastbound buses would utilize a platform in the median and westbound buses would utilize a platform on the outside shoulder of SR-84. Passengers would access the Ardenwood Park & Ride via an elevator or stairs to a pedestrian pathway below SR-84. Unlike Alternative 1, there would be a separate elevator/stairs for westbound and eastbound platforms.

CEQA is a California statute passed in 1970 shortly after the federal government passed NEPA which established national environmental policy and goals. CEQA institutes a statewide policy of environmental protection. The purpose of CEQA and NEPA is to publicly disclose any significant environmental effects of a proposed project through the preparation of, in this Project’s case, an environmental document called an Initial Study/Environmental Assessment (IS/EA). Because this project is both state and federally funded, the environmental process must follow both laws.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a landmark United States federal law established in 1970. NEPA mandates that federal agencies must assess the potential environmental impacts of their proposed actions, including major projects, policy changes, or regulations. It requires agencies to consider alternatives, involve the public in the decision-making process, and issue environmental impact statements to inform the public and decision-makers about the environmental consequences of their actions.

The IS/EA as required by CEQA/NEPA, analyzes Project alternatives for potential environmental impacts. It reviews a wide range of resource areas to identify potential impacts and establish clear mitigation actions prior to project approval. To learn more about each step of the process and public comment opportunities, please visit the Environmental page.

Key activities include, but are not limited to:

• Environmental data collection and field surveys
• Preparation of environmental technical studies
• Development of a Draft IS/EA
• Public review of a Draft IS/EA
• Preparation of final environmental approval documents

Members of the public, interest groups, and state and federal agencies are invited to participate and provide valuable input into the scope of the Draft IS/EA once the environmental process kicks off.

CCJPA and Caltrans are currently developing the project description and a public outreach plan in preparation of developing the environmental technical studies and are initiating technical analyses.

You can stay informed by joining our email newsletter list via the Comment Form!