On June 30, 2016, the Bay Area Council Economic Institute (BACEI) released “The Northern California Megaregion: Innovative, Connected, and Growing”.
Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) was an anchor funder of the analysis along with other entities across the megaregion. Additionally, CCJPA staff was responsible for creating many of the maps included in the document. The report covers topics such as the jobs/housing imbalance, goods movement, and economic trends, and overall, is an important assessment for passenger rail serving this megaregion today and what it may need to do in the future.
The Northern California Megaregion report presents the various factors linking our area’s economy to our quality of life, along with the various choices that can be made to strengthen our megaregion. The report’s findings and recommendations, along with BACEI’s strong relationship with the business community, clearly outlines the fundamental challenges facing expanded passenger (and freight) rail service in a way that can be understood by a wider audience.
We expect this report will integrate well with initiatives put forth in the CCJPA’s Vision Plan Update and Vision Implementation Plan, and foster a positive climate for gaining funding and political support for CCJPA’s and the State passenger rail service expansion plans.