Agenda Item Wording:
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Cross Valley Corridor Special Area Studies - Informational update on the Tulare County Association of Governments report on the Cross Valley Corridor Special Area Studies.
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Agenda Date: 11/02/2026
Prepared by:
John Lollis, Assistant City Manager, John.Lollis@visalia.gov, (559) 713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive an informational update on the Cross Valley Corridor Special Area Studies - no action required.
Summary:
The Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) has completed special area studies to identify preferred station locations and conceptual layouts for future Cross Valley Corridor express transit service at the College of the Sequoias (COS) Visalia campus and Visalia Industrial Park. The studies identify potential station improvements and locations to support future transit connections. TCAG staff presented the study findings to the TCAG Board of Governors at its meeting on October 19, 2026, and presents the same to the Council.
Background Discussion:
Following completion of the Cross Valley Corridor Phase 1 Operations Plan in summer 2024, TCAG shifted its proposed express transit service to connect Farmersville and Hanford, supplemented by a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line connecting the Tulare Transit Center and Visalia Transit Center via Mooney Boulevard (State Route 63). At its meeting on November 3, 2025, the Council approved the City’s participation as the project lead and primary operator of the Cross Valley Corridor express transit service project.
The Phase 1 Operations Plan recommended additional study of the COS Visalia campus given its immediate proximity to the traffic-heavy State Route 198 and Mooney Boulevard interchange, as well as the Visalia Industrial Park for enhanced regional workforce connectivity, to identify potential station locations and develop conceptual layouts before proceeding with design. TCAG commissioned Arup US, Inc. to conduct these studies in February 2026.
TCAG and Arup worked with stakeholders from April through August 2026 to evaluate potential station locations and configurations and identify preferred alternatives. With respect to the COS campus, stakeholder engagement was made with COS representatives and the Mooney Boulevard Roundtable group hosted by the Visalia Chamber of Commerce. For the Visalia Industrial Park, stakeholder engagement was conducted through the Visalia Economic Development Corporation to its members.
At the COS campus, the preferred alternatives include relocating and upgrading the existing transit stop on Mineral King Avenue east of Mooney Boulevard, and upgrading the existing transit stop on Noble Avenue east of Mooney Boulevard.
At the Visalia Industrial Park, the preferred alternatives include new eastbound and westbound multimodal stops on Doe Avenue, west of Shirk Road adjacent to the current Tulare County Office of Education Doe Complex, and upgrades to existing transit stops on Goshen Avenue east of Plaza Drive.
Stakeholders also discussed removing the Goshen Avenue and Plaza Drive transit stop due to traffic concerns and a preference for the Doe Avenue location. The report notes that this decision should be considered in the context of the long-term vision for station infrastructure along the rail corridor to support potential future passenger rail service. Stakeholders also expressed interest in a future transit stop on Woodland Street to serve potential expansion of the COS campus.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: N/A
Prior Council Action:
November 3, 2025: City’s participation as the Project Lead and Primary Operator of the
Regional Express Transit Service Project (24-0492).
Alternatives: N/A
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
No action required. This item is for informational purposes only to provide an update on the Cross Valley Corridor Special Area Studies.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Review: N/A
Attachments:
1. City Council Meeting Presentation
2. Cross Valley Corridor Special Studies Report
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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