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  5. Chapter 4

Highlights from Chapter 4:

Expanding the System

This chapter confirms our federal commitment to completing the 119 miles of construction in the Central Valley and our regional bookend projects in Northern and Southern California. We reaffirm our proposal to advance design on the Merced and Bakersfield extensions and begin work to prepare them for construction. We also recommend advancing design, geotechnical work and other activities on the remaining project sections in Northern and Southern California as each environmental document is completed.

Over the last year, the Authority has worked to address comments from members of the Legislature, the California High-Speed Rail Peer Review Group and stakeholders. This included conducting an independent review of the reasonableness of ridership models and forecasts prepared by the Early Train Operator. It included signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority for interim service between Merced and Bakersfield. And we evaluated Proposition 1A requirements. The additional analyses reaffirm our commitment to developing the Merced to Bakersfield high-speed rail line.

 

Simulation of riders at a station with a high-speed rail train approaching

Simulation of riders at a station with a high-speed rail train approaching

 

Key Facts

  • When compared to other potential early investment options, the Early Train Operator concluded that investment in the Central Valley corridor provides the highest benefits, a conclusion supported by an independent review team
  • Merced and Bakersfield environmental documents are complete — advancing design will provide the information necessary for future construction
  • Proposition 1A funds are already at work in Northern and Southern California including $714 million for Caltrain Electrification from San Francisco to San Jose and $423 million for redevelopment of Los Angeles Union Station
  • The Authority is contributing to important grade separation projects beyond the Central Valley, including $84 million in San Mateo and $77 million in Los Angeles (Rosecrans/Marquardt Grade Separation Project)
  • Advancing design statewide once environmental documents are complete will position the entire San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim line for future construction funding

Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco

Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco

Link Union Station Phased Construction rendering, Los Angeles Union Station

Link Union Station Phased Construction rendering, Los Angeles Union Station

Central Valley Construction Endpoints Area Comparison

It makes sense to extend the 119-mile segment beyond the orchards and into the cities of Bakersfield and Merced. View more information on stations.

North

Map showing the station in rural area

Madera Station (in Rural Area)

Station in downtown Merced

Station in downtown Merced

North

Poplar Avenue (No Station; in Rural Area)

Poplar Avenue (No Station; in Rural Area)

Station in downtown Bakersfield

Station in downtown Bakersfield

“…The ETO Team’s ridership analysis is reasonable. While the ridership forecasts used in the Side-by-Side Study are high-level and meant for corridor comparison purposes, they were made and used appropriately to help understand which corridor obtained the most ridership increase, among other benefits.”
Resource Systems Group

Review of Early Train Operator Side-by-Side study

More Information

Learn more about the California High-Speed Rail program and business plan online at https://www.hsr.ca.gov/ or contact the Board of Directors at (916) 324-1541 or boardmembers@hsr.ca.gov.

Download the Plan

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