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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE GRANT OF EASEMENTS TO UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY FOR THE STOCKTON DIAMOND GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT
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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE GRANT OF EASEMENTS TO UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY FOR THE STOCKTON DIAMOND GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the grant of easements to Union Pacific Railroad Company for the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project, for the areas depicted in Exhibits 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the resolution;
2. Authorize the filing of Notice of Exemption No. 46-25 under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the grant of easements to Union Pacific Railroad Company; and
3. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take whatever actions are necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of the resolution.
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Summary
The Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) have requested the City of Stockton grant a series of easements necessary for the construction of the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project (Attachment A - Vicinity map and Attachment B - Aerial Map).
DISCUSSION
Background
The tracks of two major railroads intersect at-grade in the City of Stockton at what is called the Stockton Diamond. The rail intersection, located just south of Downtown Stockton near South Aurora Street and East Scotts Avenue, is the busiest, most congested rail bottleneck in California. The rail backup at the Stockton Diamond creates operational inefficiencies for goods movement both locally within the Central Valley and across the national railway network. It also impacts the frequency, reliability, and potential expansion opportunity of passenger rail services. The proposed project, known as the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project, will grade separate the principal lines of BNSF Railway (BNSF) and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) at the Stockton Diamond, creating uninterrupted flow of rail traffic through the crossing. This will be accomplished by building a new elevated UPRR rail structure that crosses over the BNSF tracks, thereby removing the congested rail intersection.
Present Situation
In order for the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project to receive right-of-way certification and proceed with construction, UPRR and SJRRC have requested the City grant a series of easements. The easements coincide with the at-grade crossings at Main Street, Market Street, and Lafayette Street, and with the aerial crossings at Hazelton Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The proposed action will provide UPRR and SJRRC with the perpetual right to construct, operate, and maintain the elevated structure over and across the City's roadway network. Due to federal funding requirements for the Project, the easements must be granted and recorded by the end of September 2025 for SJRRC to complete the right-of-way certification process.
NOTIFICATION
On September 12, 2025, as required by the City Charter Section 510, a Notice of Intention to Grant or Sell Real Property interest was advertised in the legal notice section of The Record at least ten days prior to Council consideration of this action.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE
It has been determined by the Community Development Department that this action/project is Categorically Exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is granted a "general rule exemption" under Section 15061(B)(3) since there is no possibility that the activity in question would have significant effect on the environment and the activity is not subject to CEQA. In accordance with Section 65402 of the Government Code, the Community Development Department further determined that this activity/project conforms to the City's General Plan Policy Document, as amended.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
All advertising costs necessary to process the grant of easement interests to UPRR, approximately $500, will be paid from the Real Property Publicity & Advertising Account, included in the Economic Development Department's approved operating budget.
Attachment A - Vicinity Map
Attachment B - Aerial Map