Another Key Milestone Reached for High Speed Rail; Board Gives Advisory Approval for Remaining Alignments.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Today, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) unveiled staff recommendations for four remaining key route alignments within California's proposed high-speed train system. The staff recommendations were based on technical studies, and public resource agency and general public input. The staff presented for board consideration and approval alignment recommendations:

--Connecting Sacramento to Bakersfield

--Connecting San Francisco to San Jose

--Connecting Oakland to San Jose

--Connecting Los Angeles to San Diego via the Inland Empire

In January, the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Federal Railroad Administration released the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report/Statement (EIR/EIS) for a statewide high-speed train system -- the largest public works project to undergo environmental review in America.

"I could not be more pleased with the review process. It did exactly what it was intended to do -- spark dialogue, identify needs for further technical study, and validate existing data. So far, this process has hit a home run," said Joe Petrillo, CHSRA chair.

As they had done at their September meeting for three major alignments, the board gave advisory approval on the routes discussed at today's meeting. The board also directed staff to give further attention to the alignment between Fresno and Bakersfield. The advisory approval allows staff to continue to move the process forward and respond to public comments. The formal vote on these and other alignments will take place at the CHRSA's December board meeting.

"High-speed trains are an integral part of California's transportation future," said Petrillo. "By deciding alignments and station locations we are at the point where this project is becoming more and more real to Californians. Californians are understanding how this train will help them travel between cities as well as help relieve local congestion."

Mehdi Morshed, CHSRA executive director, said: "Today's milestone is yet another step towards better transportation efficiency in California and good news for local economies up and down the state. We've said it before and we need to say it again, now is the time for interested parties to make their voices heard in Sacramento, so that the Legislature and Administration will continue to support high-speed trains."

CHSRA staff presented the board with a summary of the public and resource agency comments from more than 2,000 Californians including representatives of business, labor, environmental and transportation groups. This input and the technical studies contributed to their recommendations.

For more information, please see below describing specific staff recommendations.

Connecting Los Angeles to San Diego via the Inland Empire

Between Los Angeles and San Diego Authority staff recommends the Inland Empire route utilizing UPPR's existing freight corridors. SANDAG, NCTD, MTDM, Caltrans, Murrieta, Escondido and the City of San Diego all support using the Inland Empire (I-15) Corridor. From Mira Mesa to San Diego the Authority staff recommends the Carroll Canyon alignment to directly serve downtown San Diego as well as serving the city's transportation hub.

Staff recommends the following station locations:

--East San Gabriel Valley Station: City of Industry

--Ontario Airport Connector Station

--Riverside County/East San Bernardino County: University of California Riverside

--Temecula Valley Station: Murrieta

--Escondido Station Area: Escondido I-15

--Mid-San Diego County Station: University City

--San Diego Station: Downtown San Diego Santa Fe Depot

Connecting San Francisco and Oakland to San Jose

For the S.F. Peninsula and East Bay to San Jose, staff recommends using the existing Caltrain Corridor and the Hayward line to I-880. A next-tier program EIR/EIS study of the Northern Mountain Crossing connecting San Jose to the Central Valley was recommended at the Authority's September 2004 board meeting.

For the S.F. Peninsula, staff recommends utilizing the Caltrain Corridor with a shared use program between Caltrain and HST. HST could operate at speeds of 100-125 mph along the Peninsula providing 30-minute express travel times between San Francisco and San Jose. The proposed station locations include the downtown S.F. Transbay Terminal and the Millbrae airport connector station. A potential mid-peninsula station will be recommended in the next-tier study.

From Oakland to San Jose Authority staff recommends the Hayward Line to I-880 due to higher ridership; considerably less environmental impact; and support of the MTC and City of Newark. Potential station locations recommended by staff:

--Downtown Oakland Terminus: Either West Oakland and 12th Street/City Center

--Oakland Airport Connector: Coliseum BART Station

--Southern Alameda County Station: Union City

--Downtown San Jose Terminus: Diridon Station

Connecting Sacramento to Bakersfield

The Authority staff recommends utilizing both the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) right-of-ways for high-speed trains in the Central Valley.

The Sacramento Rail Depot in downtown Sacramento is recommended for the high-speed train's northern terminus. From Sacramento to Stockton, Authority staff recommends the (UPRR) alignment bypassing Lodi on the Central California Track and reconnecting to UPRR to serve the Stockton Downtown ACE station site.

From Stockton to Merced, Authority staff recommends BNSF alignment because it avoids most of the urban areas between Stockton and Merced; is less costly; has fewer environmental impacts; and serves the Castle Air Force Base. Potential station locations include Amtrak Briggsmore in Modesto and Castle Air Force Base, allowing access to the developing U.C. Merced campus.

Continuing from Merced to Fresno along the BNSF is the Authority staff's preferred option. This alignment includes transitions to the UPRR to serve Fresno and Merced. The Downtown Fresno station is recommended because it has high connectivity and accessibility. A direct route through Fresno rather than an express loop outside of the city is recommended because it has fewer environmental impacts; is less costly; and has better access.

Authority staff recommends the BNSF alignment between Fresno and Bakersfield. Amtrak intercity rail service will serve Kings County and Tulare County to the high-speed train system. The proposed station location is Downtown Bakersfield Truxton station.