Palmdale to Burbank
The Palmdale to Burbank Project Section is part of Phase 1 of the of the California High-Speed Rail System connecting the Antelope Valley to the San Fernando Valley, which will bring high-speed rail service to the urban Los Angeles area with a new modern rail line that dramatically reduces travel time between the Antelope Valley and the Los Angeles Basin.
This project section will connect two key population centers in Los Angeles County with multi-modal transportation hubs at the Palmdale Transportation Center Station and at the Hollywood Burbank Airport Station. These station locations will provide an additional link between the Antelope Valley, the Los Angeles Basin, the State, and the rest of the US through eventual connections to the Burbank Airport and other high-speed trains.
Section Highlights
Upon completion, the Palmdale to Burbank Project Section will:
- Provide a new link between Central and Southern California and the statewide transportation network
- Connect the Palmdale Transportation Center Station to the Hollywood Burbank Airport Station with a 15 to 20-minute high-speed rail trip
- Provide new opportunities for economic development and connections to many destinations and transportation options
- Connect high-speed rail to the region via existing and planned Metrolink stations
- Enhance performance and safety while reducing pollution by using next generation signaling technology (positive train control, intrusion barriers and warning system, earthquake early warning, and more)
- Provide connection opportunity in Palmdale for high-speed trains between Las Vegas and Los Angeles
Section Details
Three new modified build alternatives, which reduce potential impacts to sensitive aquatic resources south of Palmdale, have been added to the Palmdale to Burbank Project Section. A total of six alternatives will now be included in the environmental review, including the three original alternatives known as Refined SR14, E1 and E2, and the three new modified alternatives known as SR14A, E1A and E2A. The Preferred Alternative (PA) is now the SR14A alternative; the previous PA was the Refined SR14. The modified PA will avoid Una Lake and will be underground through the community of Acton, and within the Angeles National Forest (ANF) and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. All alignments south of the ANF will remain unchanged.
Staff is continuing to advance the environmental work and the Draft Environmental Impact/Statement (EIR/EIS) will be issued for public comment in 2021.
A link to the PowerPoint presentation associated with this topic can be found here: PowerPoint: Palmdale to Burbank Amendment to the Preferred Alternative.
Please visit the Events Page for more information about upcoming public virtual community meetings.
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.
OCTOBER 2020
The following virtual community meeting provided the community an opportunity to learn more about the modified alternatives, including the environmental review process and other proposed project features:
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 Palmdale to Burbank project section.
The following documents are available for review upon request. The Authority encourages written requests submitted via our Public Records Portal.
- Palmdale to Burbank Project Section Supplemental Alternatives Analysis (SAA)
- Palmdale to Burbank Project Section Scoping Report
- Palmdale to Burbank 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
palmdale_burbank@hsr.ca.gov
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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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