ADVISORY/Groundbreaking Ceremony to Commemorate $88 Million in Track and Station Improvements to Support Additional Capitol Corridor Trains Between Oakland and San Jose.

City Editors & Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...for Friday (Sept. 27)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT: A groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate $88 million in track and station improvements to support additional Capitol Corridor trains between Oakland and San Jose WHEN/WHERE: Friday, September 27, 2002 at 2:08 p.m. (upon arrival of Capitol Corridor Train 537) Oakland Amtrak Station, Jack London Square, Embarcadero at Alice St. WHO: State, local and railroad officials, including: -- The Honorable Maria Contreras-Sweet, Secretary, California Business, Transportation & Housing Agency (KEYNOTE) -- The Honorable Jerry Brown, Mayor, City of Oakland -- The Honorable Tom Blalock, Chair, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority -- Jeff Morales, Director, California Department of Transportation -- David Gunn, President, Amtrak  -- Tom Mulligan, Director of Passenger Operations, Union Pacific BACKGROUND: The construction project will span 45 miles and include added tracks and upgraded infrastructure along the Capitol Corridor between Oakland and San Jose, plus a future Capitol Corridor Station at the Oakland Coliseum, as well as added parking and access improvements at the existing Fremont, Great America/Santa Clara, and Emeryville stations. BENEFITS: --Improve attractiveness of Capitol Corridor trains as an alternative to auto trips --Take trucks off the highways by allowing more freight train throughput --Improves air quality --Overall improvement in quality of life to Californians in the Bay Area FUNDING: This program is financed through the Governor's Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and funds from local cities and communities. NOTE TO EDITORS: Media coverage of the ceremony to begin the construction project is encouraged. Some of the speakers will arrive in Oakland from Sacramento aboard Capitol Corridor Train 537 (departs Sacramento at 12:10 p.m., arrives Oakland at 2:08 p.m.) Members of the media are invited to ride the train to Oakland if their schedule permits. WEBSITE: www.amtrakcapitols.com