Capital Improvement Plan Overview

Caltrain’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a comprehensive, long-term planning document used to manage and prioritize capital projects:

  • It covers a 10-year period and is financially unconstrained.
  • It includes a companion document, the 4-year Rolling Program, which will look at Caltrain’s capacity to deliver the projects.
  • Comprehensive portfolio of maintenance, enhancement and expansion capital investments.
  • Prioritization of capital projects based on the mission and values of Caltrain
  • Living document, reviewed and updated frequently.
Intent of the CIP?
  • Provides tools to identify, evaluate, and advance capital projects that yield the most benefits for Caltrain.
  • Communicates Caltrain’s capital needs to its funding partners and provides essential information for pursuit of grant funding
  • Streamlines processes, such as the capital budget or grant funding application.

Caltrain Portfolio of Capital Projects and Programs

The FY2026-FY2035 Caltrain CIP includes more than 140 capital projects and programs Caltrain expects to undertake over the next ten years and are at various delivery stages. The list includes both Caltrain-owned and led efforts, as well as projects initiated by local jurisdictions or regional agencies.

Those projects are organized in seven Strategic Initiatives, each serving a specific purpose and demonstrating what Caltrain intends to accomplish in the next 10 years.

Amongst all projects, more than 120 capital projects and programs are initiated by Caltrain and divided into five Strategic Initiatives:

  • Provide a Safe and Secure Railroad: Safety is Caltrain’s core value. These projects enable a safe and secure operating environment for all: communities, passengers, and employees.
  • Maintain Core Services: Projects and programs critical to providing core service levels and maintaining the ability to keep the railroad running.
  • Enhance Service and Customer Experience: These capital projects and programs procure new assets or upgrade existing assets. They increase the system’s performance, improve customer experience, and enable operational improvements.
  • Deliver the Long-Range Service Vision: The Caltrain Business Plan identifies essential projects for implementing the Board- Adopted Moderate Growth Service Vision of eight trains per hour per direction in the peak period.
  • Mandate, Compliance, and Emergency Projects: The agency must invest in and implement capital projects per mandates by regulatory agencies or state and/or federal law. Implementation of these projects is typically time sensitive.

Caltrain is also dedicated to advancing local and regional projects by partnering with local communities/regional partners and contributing to the region capital projects, as reflected in two additional Strategic Initiatives:

  • Partner with Local Communities: Capital Projects in this Initiative are developed in partnership with local jurisdictions, including all grade separation projects.
  • Contribute to the Region’s Economic Vitality: This Initiative includes projects of regional significance, developed in partnership with other agencies.

The CIP is anticipated to be presented to and accepted by the board by the end of 2024.

 

CIP Timeline Graphic5

For more information, contact Railplanning@caltrain.com