San Jose - Merced

Due to the large scope of the project – the largest public infrastructure project in the nation – the environmental review is being conducted in two parts: at the statewide level followed by a more specific project-level review of each of the nine sections of the system. Each project section is moving through this process at a different pace.

The San Jose to Merced section of the 800-mile system is 125 miles long.  Starting at the Diridon Train Station in San Jose, the study area travels south through Gilroy, east through the Pacheco Pass to Chowchilla and north to Merced.  Stations are planned in San Jose, Gilroy and Merced.

Once operating, projections estimate 7,600 boardings daily in San Jose and about 5,300 in Merced, with travel time between San Jose and Merced estimated at 45 minutes.  CO2 emissions savings are estimated at 62 lbs. per trip.