Jason Hade, Regional Planner

Kern COG Workshop – November 21, 2002

High-Speed Rail for the Kern

Region

Kern Council of Governments

Workshop Overview

• California High-Speed Rail Authority Progress

• Metropolitan Bakersfield High-Speed Rail Terminal Impact Analysis

• Upcoming Issues

• Resources/Questions

High-Speed Rail Authority Progress

• Rail Authority required to prepare a plan for the construction and operation of a high-speed train system for the state capable of achieving operating speeds of, at least, 200 mph

• Screening report for Sacramento-Bakersfield corridor approved by Authority on January 16, 2002

Environmental Review Process

• 2002/2003 state budget includes $7.05 million for Authority to prepare draft program EIR/EIS

• Draft program EIR/EIS scheduled for completion in August 2003

• Final program EIR/EIS expected to be completed by December 2003

Metropolitan Bakersfield High-Speed Rail Terminal Impact Analysis

• Purpose of study is to analyze terminal impacts and benefits to assist with building consensus for final terminal site recommendation

• Three sites to be evaluated within Metropolitan Bakersfield: 7th Standard Road/West of S.R. 99; Golden State/”F” Street to “M” Street; and Truxtun Avenue and “S” Street/Union Avenue.

• Wilbur Smith Associates to conduct study

Potential Terminal Sites

Project Timeline

Upcoming Issues

• Senate Bill 1856 – Authorizes a $9.95 billion general obligation bond for the November 2004 ballot– $9 billion would create state’s share of construction

costs for San Francisco – Los Angeles segment of system

• Senate Bill 796 – eliminates the Authority’s December 31, 2003 sunset date

• Final alignment and terminal decisions to be made by Authority upon completion of environmental studies (December 2003)

Resources/Questions

• California High-Speed Rail Authority - http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/

• SB 1856 and SB 796 information – http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/

• Jason Hade, jhade@kerncog.org or (661) 861-2191