Some info on possible reactivation of the Dumbarton Bridge, an inactive SP line across San Francisco Bay, for commuter use.

http://railroadnews.net/news/2-25.html
ryarger@rypn.org

There is a little more to it than included in the article

The bridge and its associated right of way were purchased by San Mateo Counties Transportation Authority more than 10 years ago to preserve the right of way. Since then there has been a significant ongoing effort to build consensus among the multiple counties which would be served by the project. At this point we have commitment for the roughly $120 million in transportation capital funds needed to rebuild the bridge, track, signals and acquire train-sets. The project is listed in the regional transportation plan, and in that plan becomes high priority only if we can locate sufficient operating money (until then it is listed but on hold.)
Regional measure 2 which will be voted on tomorrow (3-2) would provide that operating money. The measure would also fund a wide variety of both valuable and pork transportation projects related to cross bay transportation routes.

It is expected that Caltrain would be the primary operating organization for the line. Altamont Commuter Express has expressed interest in operating trains across the bridge as well.

This will all take some time since the existing bridge and line are in very poor condition. It is likely that the entire bridge will be replaced “in kind” rather than rebuilt. The pivot for the swing span is known to have been damaged in the 1989 earthquake, the steel through girders are badly rusted (you can put your hand through holes in the main H beams, and much of the wooden approach trestle has burned.


San Mateo Transportation Authority
hees@ix.netcom.com