Groundbreaking Ceremony | SJJPA, SJRRC, and City of Oakley to Break Ground on New Rail Station, October 14
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Ahdel Ahmed, Public Relations Manager
San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority
E-mail: aahmed@sjrrc.com
Phone: (209)936-8490
Groundbreaking Ceremony | SJJPA, SJRRC, and City of Oakley to Break Ground on New Rail Station, October 14
Event to be held Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the site of the future Oakley Station, 3486 Main St., Oakley, CA 94561
(October 12 – Oakley) – The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA), the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), and the City of Oakley are proud to announce the next major milestone in the development of the new at-grade regional rail station that will bring Gold Runner trains into the heart of Contra Costa County. To commemorate this milestone, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Wednesday, October 14, at the site of the future station. The event will feature remarks from SJRRC and City leadership, as well as local, regional, state, and federal representatives.
What: Oakley Station Groundbreaking
When: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: 3486 Main St., Oakley, CA 94561
The future Oakley Station will bring Gold Runner intercity passenger rail service to one of Contra Costa County's fastest-growing areas, creating a new transportation connection for Oakley, Brentwood and surrounding East Contra Costa County communities. Developed through a partnership between the SJJPA and the City of Oakley, the station will provide Gold Runner rail and Thruway Bus service to communities throughout Northern California, the Bay Area, the Central Valley and Southern California.
"Breaking ground on the Oakley Station is the next step toward bringing Gold Runner service to a high-growth area in the East Bay and is a long-term investment in intercity rail that will serve the community for years to come," said Chris Orlando, CEO of the SJRRC and SJJPA. "We've worked closely with the City of Oakley for nearly a decade to plan this station, and their partnership and local investment are a big reason we're taking this next step. Once complete, the station will give East County residents a modern, accessible and convenient way to travel by rail, whether they're headed to Oakland, Santa Rosa, Eureka, Sacramento, the San Joaquin Valley, or Southern California."
“The City Council and staff are thankful for our project partners, who are bringing a much-needed commuter transit option for the residents of Oakley,” said Oakley Mayor, Hugh Henderson. “We are also excited about the station and rail service providing another opportunity for economic growth as passengers from outside the region will be able to comfortably travel to attend Oakley events, and eat, drink, and shop right in the downtown, as well as access bus and rideshare services to travel throughout the city.”
Key Components
The project includes construction of a new at-grade station with a 720-foot-long, 13-foot-wide cast-in-place concrete side-loading passenger platform to safely and efficiently serve current and future rail operations. The station will feature ADA-compliant accessibility improvements, including tactile warning panels, a full-length underdrain system, and metal safety guardrails.
Architectural elements such as canopy shelters, lighting, signage, and wayfinding have been designed to complement the surrounding neighborhood while enhancing the passenger experience. The platform meets BNSF and Amtrak clearance standards and is sized to accommodate the Gold Runner’s current longest seven-car Venture trainset with a locomotive, while providing capacity for future expansion to an eight-car consist.
Major construction activities are anticipated to begin in early 2027, with trains serving the station by spring 2028.
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About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)
Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Gold Runner, previously Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile Gold Runner Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com. Gold Runner is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area, providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Gold Runner is currently running six daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Gold Runner Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno. For more information about SJJPA, visit www.sjjpa.com.
About the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC)
The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) is a public agency focused on expanding and improving passenger rail service across the Central Valley and Northern California. As the operator of ACE and manager of the Valley Rail Program, SJRRC works to deliver safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation that connects communities, reduces traffic congestion, and supports regional growth. For more information about SJRRC, visit www.sjrrc.com.