Development Schedule
California and Federal ARRA funds are available to complete a 130-mile initial segment from Fresno to Bakersfield in the Central Valley by 2017. This segment would connect with BNSF tracks at each end to allow the Amtrak San Joaquin trains to use the line, saving 45 minutes to an hour. The selection of this segment for initial construction was dictated in part by the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funding, which stipulates that funding terminates in 2017 and that it be used for “rail passenger transportation except commuter rail passenger transportation." (p. 2-12)
The 2012 Revised Business Plan (Exhibit 2-6) projects the following completion dates for high speed rail segments, assuming additional funding can be obtained:
- 2021 Merced–Fresno and Bakersfield–Palmdale. Improved Metrolink service would connect Palmdale to Los Angeles Union Station (however, dedicated tracks between Downtown Burbank and Lancaster would have to be built due to the tracks being freight-owned). The Bakersfield–Palmdale segment must cross the Tehachapi Mountains. Currently rail freight between these cities uses a highly circuitous route through the 4000 foot (1200 m) Tehachapi Pass, including the 540 degree Tehachapi Loop. The 2012 Revised Business Plan states that the electrified trains planned for high speed service can follow a more direct route because they can climb steeper grades than Diesel engines.(p. 2-17)
- 2026 San Jose–Merced. High speed trains would then be able to run between San Francisco, using an electrified Caltrain right of way, and San Fernando Station. Passengers would take Metrolink between San Fernando Station and Los Angeles Union Station. BART, which has plans to extend its service south, would connect San Jose to Oakland. CHSRA calls the resulting level of service "Bay to Basin."
- 2028 Palmdale–Los Angeles and San Francisco–San Jose. These segments, when complete, will allow a single seat, high speed ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles Union Station. CHSRA calls the resulting level of service "Phase 1 Blended."
No dates are given for the final Phase 1 segment, Los Angeles–Anaheim, or for the Phase 2 segments, Merced–Sacramento and Los Angeles–San Diego.
Read more about this topic: California High-Speed Rail
Famous quotes containing the word development:
“The American has dwindled into an Odd Fellow—one who may be known by the development of his organ of gregariousness.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)