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spanning from San Jose to Stockton is broken into seven districts, with the goal being to combine the best option for east district into an end-to-end solution. The preliminary analysis considers five Tri-Valley alternatives, including 1-580/1-680, SR 84/Isabel, South Pleasanton and two downtown options. The downtown alignment options follow either the existing Union Pacific alignment or the abandoned Southern Pacific alignment parallel to the existing ACE Rail line. A key element of the project involves interfacing with BART in every location possible and some of the solutions identified have the ability to meet with a potential BART extension into Livermore. The preliminary analysis recommends carrying the South Pleasanton and Southern Pacific downtown options forward for further consideration. The downtown alignment envisions both above and below grade tracks, with the below grade options tunneling through the downtown areas and rising to above grade between the Pleasanton and Livermore city cores. The analysis recommends withdrawal of the 1-580/1-680 alternative primarily due to constructability and right of way risk issues along 1-580. Union Pacific Railroad has been resistant to sharing their right of way and as a result, the Union Pacific downtown route is not considered viable. The SR 84/Isabel alignment has design and construction issues relating to quarry operations, wetlands and farmlands and was also removed. Mr. Ogden stressed that phasing is critical in what will likely be a 50-year project. The logical first phase is creating a new route over Altamont Pass that could potentially interface with a new BART extension at the east end of Livermore. The ACE Rail would then continue onto existing alignments until a subsequent process makes the next phase of improvements. He also stressed that while the project is cosponsored by the Authority, this proposal is not the same high speed rail being considered up and down the Central Valley. In the near term, this likely to be simply some ACE Rail improvements to increase efficiency and not true high speed train service through the Tri-Valley. One potential improvement involves a dedicated passenger track and self-propelled lighter weight passenger equipment that could potentially yield much higher speeds. Mr. Ogden stated the next step is to prepare a supplemental alternatives analysis. Funds permitting, he anticipated starting work on the EIS in early 2012. Construction and improvements would begin in 2015 at the earliest, subject to funding. Mr. Fialho noted it has been consistently stated that there is an abandoned right-of-way through downtown Pleasanton that could perhaps be utilized to accommodate high-speed rail. He stated there is not an abandoned right-of-way through the downtown. The corridor in question is currently owned by the City and accommodates parking, the Firehouse Arts Center, Lions Wayside Park, and a 250 unit single-family housing development. He stated that the City has consistently opposed the downtown alignment for those very reasons. Councilmember Thorne said this position was brought out to the Tri-Valley Regional Rail Policy Group. He shared his strong opposition to the downtown option and his surprise that it is still considered a viable alternative. Vice-Mayor Cook-Kallio said there seems to be a misunderstanding of what exists on the proposed downtown alignment and she could not be strong enough in her objection to this option. City Council Minutes Page 7 of 12 April 19,2011