San Jose to Merced

The public review period for the San Jose to Merced Project Section Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) closed on June 23, 2020. The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) will consider all comments received on the Draft EIR/EIS and respond to substantive comments on the Draft EIR/EIS in the Final EIR/EIS. The Draft EIR/EIS was originally made available for a minimum 45-day public review beginning on April 24, 2020 and ending on June 8, 2020, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In response to agency and stakeholder requests and in consideration of limitations caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Authority elected to extend the public review period for 15 days to June 23, 2020. View the Draft EIR/EIS.

Please visit the Events Page for more information about engagement activities during the public comment period. Authority staff will provide written responses to all comments received, which will be published in the Final EIR/EIS, scheduled for release in 2021.

• San José to Merced Draft EIR/EIS Fact Sheet
• San José to Merced Draft EIR/EIS Frequently Asked Questions
• News Release: In September 2019, the Authority Board of Directors identified Alternative 4 as the Preferred Alternative
• Preferred Alternative: Map of Alternative 4
• Alternative 4 utilizes a blended configuration between San José and Gilroy in the existing Caltrain and Union Pacific Railroad corridors before continuing to a dedicated high-speed rail alignment through Pacheco Pass.

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 specific project section plans and key milestones of the first phase of the high-speed rail system.

In 2018, the Authority conducted and participated in over 300 meetings and presentations throughout Northern California, both large and small. The aim was to inform and gather input from city/county staff, neighborhood groups, Community Working Groups (CWG), Technical Working Groups (TWG), and environmental justice populations. In addition, the Authority collaborated with partner agencies throughout the region to further refine the system design and advance the environmental document.

For a listing of upcoming events and outreach opportunities in your area visit the Events page.

• San Jose to Merced

Northern California Regional Newsletter

Highlights

• Preferred Alternative Identified – In September 2019, the Authority Board of Directors identified Preferred Alternatives for the high-speed rail routes in Northern California. In the San José to Merced project section, the Preferred Alternative is Alternative 4, which utilizes a blended configuration between San José and Gilroy in the existing Caltrain and Union Pacific Railroad corridors before continuing to a dedicated high-speed rail alignment through Pacheco Pass. Staff first released its recommendations in July 2019 and launched a comprehensive outreach campaign through the summer to gather feedback from the public and stakeholders for the Authority Board of Directors to consider in making their decision. For additional information, view the Board Memo, Staff Report, and Outreach Report summarizing results of the preliminary environmental analysis and input received from the public.
• Diridon Integrated Station Concept (DISC) – DISC is a collaborative interagency effort between the Authority, VTA, Caltrain, and the City of San José to develop a vision for the San José Diridon Station as an expanded intermodal hub. In February 2020, after more than a year of study, the DISC partner agencies laid out three key components of the concept plan: an elevated station, two concourses, and north and south approaches maximizing use of the existing rail corridor. The partner agencies are now working together to identify a governance and implementation plan that will define both the environmental clearance and delivery strategy for the future station. Visit the DISC website for additional information.
• Plan for Expanded Blended Operation Between San José and Gilroy – The Authority is studying extended electrification of the Caltrain corridor south of San José to Gilroy. The Authority continues to be in discussions with Union Pacific Railroad and other partners about right of way and operational options, including how electrified passenger and diesel freight trains could share the corridor. This may potentially allow enhanced electrified service all the way to Gilroy, eliminating the need to use passenger diesel trains in the corridor.
• Wildlife Corridor Assessment - In collaboration with a variety of partners in the field, the Authority conducted wildlife corridor assessments in the Coyote Valley and Pacheco Pass in the San José to Merced project section. Sensitive wildlife movement corridors were identified, and design refinements incorporated to increase wildlife permeability and minimize the rail corridor's impediment to animal movement. See this Authority video for additional information.

The Authority is committed to keeping stakeholders and the public up-to-date on the latest on the high-speed rail program, and the latest updates happening in the regions.

To sign up for project section updates, visit the Contact Us page and select Northern California, Central Valley or Southern California.

Visit the Information Center to learn more about the San Jose to Merced project section in the regional and project section factsheets.

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.

To deliver the Final Environmental Impact Report/Statement (EIR/S), below are upcoming key milestone dates for both San Francisco to San José and San José to Merced project sections including upcoming outreach activities:

The following documents are available for review upon request. Please contact records@hsr.ca.gov.

• San Jose to Merced Project Section Supplemental Alternatives Analysis
• San Jose to Merced Project Section Alternative Analysis
• San Jose to Merced Project Section Scoping Report
• San Jose to Merced 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) 455-8166
san.jose_merced@hsr.ca.gov

Visit the Contact Us page to sign up for e-mail alerts and for additional contact information.