{"id":10297,"date":"2020-12-28T16:03:26","date_gmt":"2020-12-29T00:03:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hsr.ca.gov\/?page_id=10297"},"modified":"2021-05-27T10:17:37","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T17:17:37","slug":"regional-newsletters-201911","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hsr.ca.gov\/communications-outreach\/all-aboard-quarterly-newsletter\/regional-newsletters-201911\/","title":{"rendered":"Regional Newsletters – Nov 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” padding_top_1=”0px” padding_top_2=”0px” _builder_version=”4.5.8″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” z_index_tablet=”0″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.5.8″][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_ca_breadcrumb disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ module_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” module_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” module_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#d0d3d7″ box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” locked=”on”][\/et_pb_ca_breadcrumb][et_pb_text admin_label=”Main Content” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px”]<\/p>\n

Regional Newsletters<\/h1>\n

Statewide Update<\/h2>\n

\"Screen<\/a>Fresno Bee: Listen to Governor Gavin Newsom\u2019s HSR Plans and Expectations \u2014 11\/08\/19<\/a><\/p>\n

There was a lot happening at high-speed rail in the last few weeks, and the Central Valley was at the heart of the action. From the Regions Rise economic summit, to Governor Newsom\u2019s reaffirmation of building high-speed rail in the Valley, to visits from our Swedish transportation partners, construction progress and field hearings, check out the latest for high-speed rail: It\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CEO Report<\/h3>\n

Earlier this month, several members of our Authority staff and the Board of Directors, including Chairman Lenny Mendonca, participated in the Governor\u2019s \u201cRegions Rise\u201d Economic Summit in Fresno. Also, in this month’s CEO report read about the Record of Decision reached for the Bakersfield Locally Generated Alternative and the progress being made on the 2020 Business Plan.<\/p>\n

CEO Report<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

High-Speed Rail Receives Top National Sustainability Ranking<\/h3>\n

California\u2019s high-speed rail project has again received a 5-star rating as one of the top sustainable rail projects in North America. The ranking is courtesy of the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Infrastructure Assessment, the leading benchmark for environmental, social and governance policies, practices, and performance of real estate and infrastructure investments around the world.<\/p>\n

The California High-Speed Rail Authority\u2019s\u00a02019 Sustainability Report: Energizing Economic Revitalization<\/a>\u00a0highlights the Authority\u2019s sustainability activities for 2018 in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards Core Option \u2013 the world\u2019s leading and most widely adopted sustainability reporting framework.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is great to see California\u2019s High-Speed Rail Authority continuing to report to GRESB to benchmark its performance against similar infrastructure projects and assets, and against the entire GRESB dataset annually,\u201d said GRESB Infrastructure Director Rick Walters. \u201cThis ongoing commitment to sustainability is affirmed further this year by California\u2019s project moving back up into the top quintile and therefore receiving a 5-star rating. The Authority\u2019s track record on sustainability, as measured by GRESB, will surely position the asset well when it comes to attracting private sector investment in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

As of mid-2018, the project\u2019s total investments into the system statewide had created approximately $7.6 billion in total economic activity across the state.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Construction Progress in the Central Valley<\/h3>\n

\"Construction<\/p>\n

In north Fresno, crews are working over the San Joaquin River and placing concrete at the east archway of the viaduct. Nighttime closures kicked off on State Route 99 as crews began the placement of precast concrete girders over the highway to connect the Cedar Viaduct. Just outside of downtown Fresno, crews have completed the walls, floor and lid of the Fresno Trench and are now placing concrete for the intrusion protection barrier walls that will separate the high-speed rail corridor and Union Pacific Railroad. See all this and more in the latest Construction Update<\/a>, out now!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Investing in California Small Businesses<\/h3>\n

\"Crew<\/p>\n

The latest version of the Investing in California Small Businesses<\/a> newsletter is out now. This issue highlights veteran-owned businesses and resources the Authority has available for veteran-owned businesses. Features include She-Marine Construction Supply, a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) owned by a U.S. Marine veteran, and Wayne Gross, an outreach liaison for the Department of General Services and a U.S. Air Force veteran.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Environmental Schedule Updated<\/h3>\n

This fall, the Authority made major progress in clearing the northern and southern ends of the high-speed rail project in the Central Valley. On November 8, the Authority issued the\u00a0Record of Decision\u00a0for the Locally Generated Alternative \u2013 the final 23-mile route between Shafter and Bakersfield. This decision allows the Authority to move towards project construction in the area. In the north, on October 28, the public comment period closed for the\u00a0Merced to Fresno Section: Central Valley Wye Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report\/Environmental Impact Statement. The Authority is currently reviewing the comments received, and plans on issuing a Final Supplemental EIR\/EIS in July of next year. On July 23, 2019, the State of California\u00a0announced\u00a0that it had received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to assume its federal environmental review responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act and other federal environmental laws. In 2020, the Authority anticipates releasing the remaining documents for the full 520-mile system from San Francisco to the Los Angeles area to get those alignments identified as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Project Segment<\/th>\nDraft EIR\/EIS<\/th>\nRevised ROD Date<\/th>\nMonths to ARRA 12\/2022 Deadline from ROD Date<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Locally Generated Alternative (F \u2013 B)*<\/a><\/p>\n

*Complete<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

July 2019<\/td>\nOctober 2019<\/td>\n39<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Central Valley Wye (M \u2013 F)<\/td>\nSeptember 2019<\/td>\nSeptember 2020<\/td>\n27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bakersfield to Palmdale<\/td>\nJanuary 2020<\/td>\nFebruary 2021<\/td>\n22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Burbank to Los Angeles<\/td>\nFebruary 2020<\/td>\nJanuary 2021<\/td>\n23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Palmdale to Burbank<\/td>\nFebruary 2020<\/td>\nAugust 2021<\/td>\n16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
San Jose to Merced<\/td>\nMarch 2020<\/td>\nApril 2021<\/td>\n20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
San Francisco to San Jose<\/td>\nApril 2020<\/td>\nJune 2021<\/td>\n18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Los Angeles to Anaheim<\/td>\nNovember 2020<\/td>\nDecember 2021<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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November 2019<\/h3>\n

The Northern California Region Achieves Critical Milestone<\/h4>\n

At its September meeting, the Authority\u2019s Board of Directors concurred with staff\u2019s recommendations for the identification of Preferred Alternatives in Northern California. This is an important step and paves the way for the Authority staff to now proceed with finalizing and releasing the draft environmental documents for the San Francisco to San Jose and San Jose to Merced Project Sections.<\/p>\n

The draft environmental documents are due out in March 2020 for the San Jose-to-Merced project section and April 2020 for the San Francisco-to-San Jose project section. The documents are currently going through final internal reviews, before being vetted with cooperating agencies prior to the public release.<\/p>\n

Although the Board has identified preferred alternatives, all alternatives will be evaluated equally in the draft environmental documents. The final route decisions will be made at the conclusion of the environmental review process. After release of the draft environmental documents, there will be a 45-day public comment period during which the Authority\u2019s outreach team will hold three open houses and a public hearing in each project section.<\/p>\n

In the San Jose to Merced project section, the Board identified Alternative 4 as the Preferred Alternative. Alternative 4 utilizes a blended configuration between San Jose and Gilroy in the existing Caltrain and Union Pacific Railroad corridors before continuing to a dedicated high-speed rail alignment through Pacheco Pass.<\/p>\n

In the San Francisco to San Jose project section, the Board identified Alternative A as the Preferred Alternative. Alternative A utilizes a blended configuration between San Francisco and San Jose within the existing Caltrain corridor. This alternative includes a light maintenance facility on the east side of the tracks in Brisbane and does not include additional passing tracks.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Caltrain Board Adopts Ambitious Service Vision<\/h4>\n

\"Caltrain<\/p>\n

At its October meeting, Caltrain\u2019s Board of Directors voted to adopt a long term 2040 Service Vision, defining an ambitious plan for growing service over the next 20-plus years. The Caltrain Business Plan\u2019s 2040 Service Vision<\/a> sets a target for the railroad that ensures Caltrain<\/a> can continue to meet the growing mobility needs of the region while making the best use of the many projects and investments planned and under construction along the corridor.<\/p>\n

The Service Vision the Caltrain Board of Directors adopted maintains the commitment to a shared blended system on the Peninsula that will accommodate both robust Caltrain service and the Authority\u2019s high-speed rail service. We congratulate Caltrain on this significant accomplishment.<\/p>\n

To read about the Caltrain Business Plan, visit:<\/em><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.caltrain.com\/about\/MediaRelations\/news\/Caltrain_Board_Signs_Off_on_Business_Plan_Service_Vision.html<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Carl Guardino \u2013 San Jose\u2019s Visionary for Sustainability<\/h4>\n

\"Carl<\/p>\n

For nearly three decades as CEO and President of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Carl Guardino has advocated for transportation and housing improvements that emphasized the fundamental tenants of sustainability \u2013 including lobbying hundreds of transit-oriented affordable housing projects and pushing for rail and transportation enhancement projects, including high-speed rail, improvements for Caltrain, and extending BART to San Jose and into Santa Clara County. He\u2019s also been a pivotal voice in the long-term plan to transform Diridon Station in San Jose.<\/p>\n

To read about the Guardino\u2019s work, visit https:\/\/www.buildhsr.com\/facesofhsr\/#san_joses_visionary_for_sustainability<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BART Moving Swiftly to Bring Service to San Jose and Santa Clara County<\/h4>\n

\"BART<\/p>\n

The Santa Clara County Valley Transit Authority\u2019s BART Silicon Valley Extension Program (BSV) has outlined its plans to expand BART Service into Santa Clara County, bringing frequent and reliable regional service to over 1.7 million county residents. The ambitious projects are being built in two phases:<\/p>\n