Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

1 minute read

November 4, 2024, 11:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

An Amtrak Coast Starlight train in Altamont Pass, California. | https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Coast_Starlight_on_the_Altamont_Pass%2C_April_2011.jpg / Wikimedia Commons

Amtrak plans to double passenger rail service in Stanislaus County, California, thanks in part to an $18.7 million federal grant, reports John Holland in The Modesto. “The money, announced Oct. 29, will go toward second tracks and boarding platforms at the Modesto and Denair stations. This will allow passenger and freight trains to pass each other without delays, said Edward Barrera, deputy division chief for public affairs at the California Department of Transportation.”

Amtrak is also expanding the Altamont Corridor Express, which connects the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area. “The southern extension will bring service to Manteca, Modesto and Ceres as soon as 2026 under the current timeline. Turlock would follow in 2029 and Livingston and Merced between 2030 and 2033.” Some stations would connect to the California High-Speed Rail line, which gained a key approval for the final southern segment this summer.

The expansion work will also include pedestrian and vehicle safety improvements such as crossing gates, signs, and sidewalks.

Sunday, November 3, 2024 in The Modesto Bee

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

"Altadena - Not For Sale" yard sign in front of burned down house after Eaton Fire in Altadena, California in January 2025.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations

Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

July 7 - Dwell

Dense multistory residential buildings in hilly San Francisco, California.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean

Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

July 7 - The San Francisco Standard

Blue self-driving Ford Transit van shuttle in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US

A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.

July 7 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA