Bakersfield to Palmdale
The Bakersfield to Palmdale project section connects the Central Valley to the Antelope Valley, closing the existing passenger rail gap over the Tehachapi Mountains. The approximately 80-mile corridor travels through or near the cities of Edison, Tehachapi, Rosamond, Lancaster and Palmdale with proposed stations in Bakersfield and at the Palmdale Transportation Center. The project section will span the Tehachapi Mountains with a new modern rail line that closes the current passenger rail gap between Central and Southern California.
Section Highlights
- Provides a new link between Central and Southern California and the statewide transportation network.
- Connects Bakersfield and Palmdale with an approximately 25-minute high-speed rail trip.
- Crosses some of the most complicated terrain along the statewide system, requiring innovative engineering.
- Uses next-generation signaling technology (Positive Train Control, intrusion barriers and warning system, earthquake early warning, and more) to enhance performance while reducing pollution.
Section Details
In October 2018, the Board of Directors concurred with the Staff Recommended State Preferred Alternative as Alternative 2, one of four routes being studied. The route bypasses the Cesar Chavez National Monument, minimizing noise and visual impacts to the national park and does not require the relocation of State Route 58. While Board concurrence does not represent final approval of alignments and/or station locations it does mark the culmination of extensive planning, scientific analysis, and community consultation process.
The Draft Environmental Document for this project section is anticipated to be released in summer 2019 and will include a public hearing as well as agency and public comment opportunities.
The Authority is committed to planning and building a premier high-speed rail system that will keep the traveling public and surrounding communities moving and safe. We are working to develop and deliver the program through effective engagements with local communities, a process that involves nourishing long-term relationships with residents, stakeholders and policymakers. The goal is to foster and encourage community engagement throughout the organization in all aspect of construction and operations.
In conducting outreach events, such as Open House and Community Working Group meetings, the Authority informs the public about all aspects of the program, including the presentation of specific project section plans and key milestones contributing to the first phase of the high-speed rail system.
For a listing of upcoming events and outreach opportunities in your area visit the Events page.
The State of California and the federal government both require a proposed infrastructure project to undergo an extensive assessment of the project's potential impacts on the environment - land, air, water, minerals, plants, animals and noise - and proposed actions to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible.
Decisions regarding how and where to build the California high-speed rail system are made and justified by using detailed environmental studies and public comments on the potential environmental impacts of the proposed rail system and routes.
The materials listed under the Documents & Reports section below include studies and reports the Authority has produced to date, along with corresponding public comments received, during the environmental review process of the Bakersfield to Palmdale project section.
The following documents are available for review upon request. Please contact records@hsr.ca.gov.
- Bakersfield to Palmdale Project Section Supplemental Alternatives Analysis
- Bakersfield to Palmdale Project Section Preliminary Alternatives Analysis
- Bakersfield to Palmdale Project Section Scoping Reports
- Bakersfield to Palmdale Project Section Notice of Intent/Notice of Preparation
If you are interested in inviting the Authority to your community meeting to receive a project update, the team would be happy to coordinate with you.
(800) 630-1039
bakersfield_palmdale@hsr.ca.gov
Visit the Contact Us page to sign up for e-mail alerts and for additional contact information.
Interactive Maps
- Project Sections & Stations of the Project Sections & Stations interactive map
- Construction Activities of the Construction Activities interactive map
- Economic Impacts of the Economic Impacts interactive map
- California Traditional Tribal Territories of the California Traditional Tribal Territories interactive map
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