Sentinel staff report–
On Monday, the Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors voted 11-1 for a new light rail station, with opposition coming from Citrus Heights Mayor Bret Daniels who sits on the regional board.
Daniels cast the sole dissenting vote, expressing financial concerns, according to a Jan. 8 report by KCRA. He argued that building a light rail station in the Dos Rios area of Sacramento, with existing stations nearby, doesn’t make sense.
“We’re going to spend approximately $43 million so that somebody doesn’t have to ride in a bus for one mile, which would take three minutes. It’s a terrible slap in the face to taxpayers, I think,” Daniels remarked.
Daniels also suggested there are “hundreds and hundreds of thousands” of residents currently located further away from existing light rail stations who would benefit more from new stations, even hinting that the former Kmart lot in Citrus Heights could be a potential location for a light rail station, while advocates noted the Dos Rios project is near Mirasol Village apartments, which are mixed-income housing.
KCRA reported that the SacRT board initially shot down the proposal in November, due to funding concerns. However, Katie Valenzuela, a SacRT board member and Sacramento City Councilmember, assured there are now around $33 million in possible funds from various sources, with more projected to come from other sources. Valenzuela highlighted state budget money, congressional allocations, and grants as contributors.
Despite funding challenges, the SacRT board voted overwhelmingly in favor of the light rail station. Construction is expected to commence this year, adhering to a strict timeline set by the original grant, with hopes for the station to open next year.
The 12-member SacRT board is made up of several members of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors as well as city council representatives from the various cities in the county, including Citrus Heights.
Editor’s note: This article was edited by humans, but written with assistance from AI.
