Sen. Jerry McNerney told the Senate subcommittee that ValleyLink is “shovel ready” and urged state support to move the project into construction.

What ValleyLink would do: McNerney said ValleyLink would connect the northern San Joaquin Valley to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station, crossing the Altamont Pass — one of the region's most congested commute corridors — and provide an alternative to a long drive. He told senators that ValleyLink's environmental reviews are complete and that the project would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 42,000 metric tons per year by 2040 under project modeling.

Ridership and system effects: McNerney estimated ValleyLink would increase BART's daily ridership by about 20%, adding roughly 30,000 daily BART riders, and described the project as a more affordable option than a BART extension into Livermore. He said ValleyLink could be implemented faster than a BART extension and serve commuters in the nearer term.

Funding status: McNerney characterized ValleyLink as “shovel ready” but said it still needs funding; his remarks were presented as an appeal to colleagues to consider the project in the state's transportation finance discussions.

Why it matters: ValleyLink proponents argue the line would reduce VMT for long commuters across the Altamont, provide a new interregional rail connection and deliver climate benefits in the nearer term than heavyweight rail extensions.