Politics & Government
Tracy Councilmember Veronica Vargas New Valley Link Board Chair
Vargas has held the position of Vice-Chair since the agency's formation in January 2018.
Press release from the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority Board of Directors:
Jan. 4, 2021
Tracy City Councilmember Veronica Vargas has assumed the position of Chair of the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority Board of Directors, effective January 2021. The Rail Authority Board oversees the planning and implementation of the new Valley Link commuter rail service that will connect the Central Valley with the Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station.
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Vargas, who has held the position of Vice-Chair since the agency’s formation in January 2018, succeeded Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty as Chair. Said Vargas, “I feel it’s incredible how much we’ve accomplished in such a short time frame. My goal is to keep this project moving on the same trajectory and to get service up and running at the soonest possible date.”
Valley Link is projected to carry 33,000 passengers a day in 2040 and during construction create an estimated 22,000 jobs with an economic impact on the region of $3.5 billion. Additionally, during service, Valley Link will create 400 jobs and an economic impact of $69 million per year. “Valley Link is essential to our post-pandemic economic recovery,” said Vargas. “The project will create jobs and serve our most essential workers. Congestion on I-580 through the Altamont throughout this past year is proof positive of its dire need.”
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Vargas was recently named the 2021 Vice-Chair of the League of Cities Transportation, Communications and Public Works Policy Committee. She was a key participant in a recent webinar hosted by the League of California Cities Latino Caucus along with other California leaders as well as Congressmember Josh Harder. Key points of discussion included concerns over growing socioeconomic disparities in the allocation of transportation funding.
“I am looking forward to the year ahead and fighting for an equitable share of funding to support immediate economic recovery while simultaneously planning for and working toward a long-term future for our project,” said Vargas. “I’m ready for the challenge.”
This press release was produced by the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority Board of Directors.