HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - HIGH SPEED RAIL STUDY0
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: August 23, 1994
SUBJECT: HIGH SPEED RAIL STUDY
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
BACKGROUND
ffMagerp
t by:
Coun ilmemb r an Heidt
The item is on the agenda at the request of Councilmember Heidt. Caltrans has contracted
with Parsons Brinckerhoff and other consultants to conduct a engineering study of potential
alignments for a high speed rail link between Los Angeles and Bakersfield. This segment is
the critical missing link to the development of a statewide high speed rail network. Unlike
other parts of the state, there are no existing rail alignments that can be used and the terrain
presents several challenges to the construction of totally new alignments. On the existing rail
track between Los Angeles and Bakersfield, which hasn't seen passenger service since 1971,
it would take a passenger train five hours to travel between the two cities compared to two
hours in a car or bus.
All alignments under consideration will pass through the Santa Clarita Valley and will
include a station to serve Santa Clarita. Several alignments parallel Interstate 5, however all
of these alternatives use the same alignment through the Santa Clarita Valley. Two
alternatives serve the Antelope Valley, however both options use the same alignment
paralleling Highway 14 through the Santa Clarita Valley. The I-5 alignment lies entirely out
of the existing City limits, west of I-5. The Highway 14 alignment is south and east of
Highway 14 also outside of the City limits, except in the Sand Canyon area where the City
limit extends south of Highway 14.
On the I-5 alignment, a station was proposed at Valencia Blvd. Staff has suggested that the
station would be better situated adjacent to Magic Mountain Theme Park where the Ventura
rail right of way crosses.. Access to the Santa Clarita Valley is comparable at both locations,
however by reinstating rail service on the Ventura line, feeder trains from both Ventura/
Santa Barbara Counties and the Antelope Valley could connect with high speed trains, Magic
Mountain would be served directly, and surrounding land uses would be more compatible.
On the Highway 14 alignment the station is proposed at Via Princessa.
Continued To: 9-/3-9 v
High Speed Rail Agenda Report
August 23,1 994
page 2
Construction of High Speed Rail is many years off. Currently no funding exists except to
conduct these preliminary studies. If Proposition 185 on the November ballot passes funding
would become available, however the majority of the funds would have to be leveraged using
the Proposition 185 revenues.
The current study should conclude this Autumn with cost and travel time estimates for each
alternative. The CTC will then decide what the next steps should be.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction to staff as to actions desired regarding potential high speed rail service to
Santa Clarita.
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High Speed Ground Transportation System
Alignment Alternatives
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•—•� 1-5 (Grapevine) Alternative A
Western Bakersfield Alt.
• + + + 1-5 (Grapevine) Alternative B
1-5/Californla Aqueduct Alt.
•• `++ Palmdale Alternative
•••••• Eastern Bakersfield Alt.
• Eastern Tehachapi Alternative
Orange
County