by Tiana May
Published
The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board has cleared the final environmental milestone for its route between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
This environmental document covers the Palmdale to Burbank segment of the high-speed rail connection. Beyond Los Angeles, Phase 1 of this project will also extend to Anaheim, with the Los Angeles to Anaheim section remaining the final segment to await environmental clearance.
The Board’s approval of the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the 38-mile Palmdale to Burbank section is a key milestone in the project.
This segment will facilitate a high-speed connection between the Antelope Valley and the San Fernando Valley, reducing travel time to approximately 17 minutes at speeds of up to 220 mph. This offers a significant improvement compared to car travel.
“This is a transformative project for the state of California as a whole, and today’s approval is a major milestone for connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles in less than three hours. It’s also transformational for Los Angeles County, connecting Palmdale to Burbank in a way that’s never been possible before.”
This approval advances the project towards becoming shovel-ready as funding becomes available.
The approved SR14A Alternative alignment runs partly along State Route 14 and spans approximately 38 miles, including about 30 miles of tunnelling through mountains, with 28 miles specifically through the Angeles National Forest and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. This alignment minimises community and environmental impacts compared to other alternatives.
“Today’s approval is more than a historic milestone – it closes the gap between Los Angeles and San Francisco. We value our Authority team and its tireless support and collaboration with local and regional agencies and stakeholders as we work together to improve transportation in California for future generations.”
463 miles of the high-speed rail programme are now fully environmentally cleared from the Bay Area to Los Angeles County.
Environmental clearance for the Los Angeles to Anaheim section is expected to be finalised next year. This will complete clearance for the full 494-mile Phase 1 system.
Meanwhile, the Authority is currently extending the 119 miles under construction to 171 miles of future electrified high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield. Presently, there are more than 25 active construction sites in the Central Valley.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released preliminary interior design renderings for the seating of its future trains.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has highlighted its progress in sustainability while delivering its electric high-speed rail line.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has approved the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure its electric high-speed trains.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released new preliminary interior design renderings for its future train amenities.
Network Rail Consulting has been awarded a contract to provide systems engineering services for California’s High-Speed Rail Program.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released the shortlist of bidders to supply its new electric trains.
The US Department of Transportation has awarded the California High-Speed Rail Authority almost 3.1 billion USD in funding.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has agreed to construct a station connecting to Hollywood Burbank Airport.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released a RFQ for design services for track and OCS connecting Merced to Bakersfield.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has unveiled 3D modelling, sketches and virtual simulation designs of its future electric trains.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded 1.4 billion USD in funding to 70 rail projects across the US.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has approved the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to procure its first trainsets.
California High-Speed Rail Authority has won funding for its Fresno High-Speed Rail Station Historic Depot Renovation and Plaza Activation Project.
The US stands to benefit immensely from improved high-speed rail connections, as discussed in CoMotion’s latest webinar.
California High-Speed Rail Authority has selected AECOM’s JV for programme management support on the California High-Speed Rail project.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has said it would let the current track and systems procurement expire in order to restructure it.
The CHSRA’s Board of Directors awarded the design and support services contract for the 4 Central Valley stations on the high-speed line.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has applied for 67 million in federal funding to advance construction of the Bakersfield extension.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released the draft environmental report for the Palmdale to Burbank section.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors has approved the line’s 43-mile section from San Francisco to San Jose.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has approved design contracts for the line’s extension to Merced and Bakersfield.
California High Speed Railway has been awarded 25 million USD in federal RAISE Grant funding for the Merced Extension Design Project.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released a Summer 2022 Construction Update to highlight progress on the high-speed rail project.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority and California Rail Builders have placed the final girders for the high-speed line in Kern County.
California High-Speed Rail Authority shares final environmental impact report for the San Francisco-San Jose section of its project.
California High-Speed Rail Authority has submitted two applications for federal grant funding to help finance its high-speed train project.
The California Legislature is being urged to approve 4.2 billion USD in funding for California’s High-Speed Rail project.
California High-Speed Rail Authority has approved the final EIR/EIS for the 80-mile Bakersfield to Palmdale project alignment section.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has issued its revised draft business plan, which will go to the California Legislature in April.
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