HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-06 - AGENDA REPORTS - NON MOTORIZED PLAN MAGLEV (2)Agenda Item i
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: $en
cL and City Councilmembers
FROM:k p,i y M e
DATE: March 6, 2007
SUBJECT: NON -MOTORIZED PLAN AND ORANGELINE HIGH SPEED MAGLEV
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council receive presentations on the City's Non -Motorized Plan and the proposed
Orangeline High Speed Maglev project, and provide comments on both.
BACKGROUND
Non -Motorized Plan
The Santa Clarita Non -Motorized Transportation Plan will help guide the future of bicycle and
pedestrian facilities, paseos, and trails within the City. The plan is being developed with
extensive input from the community and seeks to meet the community's needs and desires for
pleasant, enjoyable, and safe places to bicycle and walk. The Non -Motorized Plan also provides
a comprehensive overview of the current state of bicycling and walking in the City.
Primary goals of the plan are to alleviate the current traffic congestion in the City and to
encourage future decreases in motor vehicle use by making it easier, safer, and more enjoyable to
bicycle and walk as a general means of transportation. The plan will also encourage transit use
and address equestrian needs.
The plan will contain recommendations for additions and improvements to bikeways, trails, and
pedestrian facilities; land uses that promote walking and cycling; ways to improve access to
transit; and educational and encouragement programs. Specific elements that will be developed
as part of the Non -Motorized Plan include a Bikeway Master Plan, a Trails Master Plan, a Safe
Route to School Program at three elementary schools, a Citywide Marketing and Education
Program, and a Funding/Financial Plan.
The Draft Plan will be available for public input and comment within the next couple of weeks.
A public workshop will be held in early April, which will provide an opportunity for the public
to interact with City staff and Alta Planning & Design (the consultant) in providing their
comments. The Plan is currently scheduled to be presented to the City Council for adoption in
late spring/early summer.
NON -MOTORIZED PLAN AND ORANGELINE HIGH SPEED MAGLEV
March 6, 2007 — Page 2
Oranzeline High -Sneed Marlev Proiect
The Orangeline High -Speed Maglev is proposed as an elevated transportation system that would
provide high-speed service between Irvine and Palmdale, with stations located at key locations
along the 108 -mile route, including one in Santa Clarita. The vehicles would travel at top
speeds of 120 miles per hour or more. The Orangeline would use magnetically levitated
("maglev") vehicles in which powerful magnets on the track and vehicles lift and propel the
vehicles forward. A non-stop trip from Santa Clarita to downtown Los Angeles could take as
little as 15 minutes. Including stops at other stations, the trip could still be made in 25 to 30
minutes, making it highly competitive compared with the automobile.
The Orangeline would generally follow the alignment of Interstate 5 (I-5), between Irvine and
State Route 14 (SR -14). At the I-5/SR-14 interchange, the Orangeline would follow the
alignment of SR -14 to Palmdale. The Santa Clarita station is currently proposed to be located in
the vicinity of the SR-14Nia Princessa interchange. The system is proposed to be operational by
2013 and is projected to carry approximately 250,000 by 2027. The system is also being
designed to carry light freight and cargo.
The City of Santa Clarita is a member of the Orange Line Development Authority, which is a
joint exercise of powers authority created by cities along the Orangeline corridor. The purpose
of the Authority is to pursue its stated objective to use the common powers of its members to
enter into one or more public-private partnerships to finance, acquire, design, construct,
reconstruct, improve, and operate the facilities and improvements to the Orangeline as may be
approved by action of the Authority.
To date, the alternatives analysis, feasibility analysis, and Phase 1 Engineering have been
completed. The next step is to begin work on the Environmental Impact Report. The EIR is
currently planned to be completed by 2010, with construction beginning soon thereafter.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact for the City for either the Non -Motorized Plan or the Orangeline
High Speed Maglev project.
ATTACHMENTS
None
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pwkouncil\studysession\=p_omngeline.doc