Infrastructure
A developed and accessible transportation network is essential to an inland metropolitan area’s success. The Sacramento Region boasts such a network made up of interstate freeways, transcontinental railways, a cargo port, and an international airport. In addition to transportation networks, public transportation availability, utilities, and hospitals all contribute to the quality of a region’s physical and social infrastructure.
With 14 major carriers, the Sacramento International Airport provides direct and connecting flights to major domestic and international destinations. The airport
has seen impressive growth—over the past 5 years, the number of passengers and total air freight (in pounds) have respectively increased about 29 percent and
33 percent.
There are four major public transportation systems in the Region, including Sacramento Regional Transit (RT), Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART), Yuba Sutter Transit, and YoloBus. In fiscal year 2006-2007, the largest public
transportation system, Sacramento RT, served over 17 million bus passengers and close to 15 million light rail passengers.
The City of Sacramento has embarked on a venture to design and develop the Sacramento Intermodal Transportation Facility Project (SITF). The facility will
be a “state of the art” transportation center in downtown Sacramento that will serve as a regional hub, transfer point, and portal. It will meet the long-term functional and operational needs for passenger rail, light rail, bus services, bicyclists, pedestrians, taxicabs, and automobiles. In addition, other rail operations will be included at the site, including Union Pacific Railroad (UP) freight line service, State Railroad Museum rail car movements, and future high speed rail.
The SITF is envisioned as a regional destination and gateway to the City. It will integrate retail, commercial and entertainment development, and transportation services. The facility will link the regional and local transportation networks and connect directly with adjacent districts, including the Central Business District, Old Sacramento, the Riverfront, Alkali Flat, and the Railyards. The facility is also viewed as a landmark destination and includes the historic Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) depot.
Electricity in the Sacramento Region is provided by three utilities: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), and Roseville Electric. In addition to electricity, PG&E also provides natural gas to the entire Sacramento Region. There are many water and wastewater service providers in the Region—most of which are operated at the city or county level, and a couple are operated through investor or publicly-owned utilities.
Health care services are an important part of a region’s social infrastructure. The Sacramento Region has 20 acute care hospitals with a total of almost 4,100 beds. The largest hospitals are operated by the University of California Davis Medical Center, Sutter Health, Catholic Healthcare West (CHW)/Mercy Healthcare, and Kaiser Permanente.
The Infrastructure section includes data to provide a better understanding of the Region’s transportation network (including average commute times, airport passenger and cargo totals, and public transportation statistics), as well as utility providers and rates and acute care hospitals.
Selected Sacramento region photos by Tom Myer's Photography. More Sacramento images can be seen at www.tommyersphotography.com