HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - HIGH SPEED RAIL STUDYAGENDA REPORT
City Manager Apprc
Item to be presented
NEW BUSINESS
DATE: September 13, 1994
SUBJECT:: HIGH SPEED RAIL STUDY
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
The item is on the agenda at the request of Councilmember Heidt. Caltrans has contracted
with Parsons Brinckerhoff and other consultants to conduct an 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. Staffhas suggested that the
station would be bettersituated adjacent to Six Flags 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,
Six Flags 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.
Construction of Highs Speed Rail is many years off. Currently no funding exists except to
Continued To: 17-a - 91/
High Speed Rail Agenda Report
September 13, 1994
Page 2
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.
Caltrans is holding an open house in Santa Clarita on September 12 regarding high speed rail.
Staff will present an oral report at the September 13 council meeting.
U ulu I ONt Y ►
Provide direction to staff as to actions desired regarding potential high speed rail service to
Santa Clarita.
agenda/highspee
Los Angeles to Bakersfield
High Speed Ground Transportation System
Alignment Alternatives
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