HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 HIGH SPEED RAIL 07-06-99DATE: JULY 6, 1999
NO. 7
7-6-99
! n t e r- C o m
TO'
FROM'
SUBJECT:
WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
HIGH SPEED RAIL UPDATE
ISUMMARY: For the pastfifleen years, the Community Development Departtnent has monitored the
various high speed rail projects proposed in California. Currently, there are three high speed rail
proposals: the California Nevada Super Speed Train, California High Speed Rail, attd Project
California under consideration. The Community Development Department has prepared this report to
update the City Council on these three high speed rail proposals.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council receive and file this report.
DISCUSSION
The following discussion highlights the three current high speed rail proposals:
California-Nevada Super Speed Rail System
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has negotiated an agreement with the
California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission (CNSSTC) to study the extension of this
system to Orange County. The proposed system would connect Las Vegas with Orange County
via Barstow and Ontario. Although the CNSSTC has defined Anaheim as the preferred westerly
terminus of the system, CNSSTC is not expected to select a preferred alignment or complete the
study until a detailed proposal is submitted next year for federal magnetic levitation transportation
planning funds.
California High Speed Rail
The California High Speed Rail system would link Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area
with Los Angeles and San Diego via Fresno and Bakersfield. The California High Speed Rail
Authority (CHSRA) has been working on a Public Outreach Plan, a Comprehensive Statewide
Rail Plan, a Route Alignment/Corridor Evaluation Study and a Financial Plan. Because the
preferred alignment identified in the California High Speed Rail Commission's Summary Report
and Action .Plan bypasses Orange County, OCTA requested that the Rail Authority study
extensions of service terminating at the Irvine Transportation Center and/or service through
Fullerton and the Santa Ana Canyon to the Inland Empire.
City Council Report
High Speed Rail Update
July 6, 1999
Page 2
OCTA conducted a public outreach program to seek input on the Authority's high speed rail
proposal and whether Orange County should be served by the proposed system. Through their
public outreach, OCTA has acknowledged the City of Tustin's opposition to high speed rail service
through the city. To present a consensus Orange County position to the Rail Authority, OCTA
adopted a resolution on. May 24, 1999 that designates Anaheim as the recommended southern
terminus for an Orange County high speed rail connection. However, OCTA has recommended
that a connection'continue south from Anaheim to Irvine' if community concerns can be
addressed.
At the June 16, 1999 meeting, the Rail Authority staff presented their recommended statewide
alignment. Because the recommendation included significant changes to the previous alignment,
such as a proposed route from Los Angeles through Orange County to San Diego and was not
made available for review before their meeting, the Authority postponed their decision on the
recommended statewide alignment until July 20, 1999. During public comments, Community
Development Department staff indicated the City of Tustin's opposition to a high-speed rail line
through Tustin. Another letter from the Mayor identifying the City's concerns will be sent to the
Authority prior to the July 20, 1999 meeting. Authority staff indicated that an Orange County line,
if eventually adopted, may require bypasses and tunnels based on opposition in certain
communities.
The Rail Authority anticipates developing its financial Plan by September 1999, followed by the
adoption of a formal business plan in December 1999. The business plan should be forwarded to
the legislature for their consideration and inclusion on the November 2000 ballot.
Project California
Project California, introduced as part of the Southern California Association of Government's
(SCAG) 1998 Regional Transportation Plan, would link Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles
counties using public rights of way (Interstates 5 and 10, and State Route 91). SCAG has issued
a request for proposals for the engineering studies on a 66-mile segment from Los Angeles
International Airport to Riverside. The analysis of an Orange County line has been postponed due
to limited right of way availability and pending decisions regarding the reuse of Marine Corps Air
Station - El Toro.
Elizabeth A. Binsack
Director of Community Development
SR:kbm\ccreports\High Speed Rail update cc report.doc