California HSR information release

San Jose to Merced Section High-Speed Train Winter 2012 Project Update February, 2012 In light of recent developments on the California High-Speed Rail Program, we would like to provide a status update and information on recent and upcoming project activities at the Statewide level and for the San Jose to Merced section. As with any project of this scale, there are many challenges the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is addressing simultaneously and there are many questions being asked by the public and decision makers. As you will see below, we are diligently continuing to evaluate alignment alternatives, work with local representatives and the public, provide information and gather feedback as the project moves forward.  It is our goal to keep you informed as activities unfold, and we look forward to your continued involvement. Why California is Pursuing High-Speed Rail With the state’s population expected to grow to 60 million by 2050, California faces three choices regarding its transportation system: try to build more freeways and expand airports to meet the increased demands; do nothing; or develop a high-speed train system connecting our population centers, as many other countries around the world have successfully done. At a total cost of about half of what it would take to provide the same capacity on new freeways and at expanded airports, high-speed rail delivers many other significant economic, social and environmental benefits. UPDATE SNAPSHOT The following provides a brief overview of statewide and project level activities and answers some common questions.  Click on the hyperlinks below to read more about recent activities. A new draft Business Plan introduced phased implementation, updated cost estimates, ridership figures and funding expectations to reflect current economic realities.  The Partially Revised Bay Area to Central Valley Draft Program EIR was released on January 6, 2012 and comments were accepted through February 21, 2012. A public meeting was held on February 9, 2012. The California High-Speed Rail Peer Review Group submitted a report to the California Legislature recommending stopping bond funding of the project until a long-term funding source could be established.  The Authority released a response pointing out inaccuracies and shortcomings of the Peer Review Group’s claims. The San Jose to Merced Section has continued studies and public outreach in the San Jose, South Santa Clara County and San Joaquin Valley areas in preparation of releasing a Draft EIR/EIS later this year. The Merced to Fresno Section has announced the “hybrid” route as the preferred alternative and is in the process of completing a Final EIR/EIS for release in mid-2012. RECENT STATEWIDE PROJECT ACTIVITIES Business Plan Update On November 1, 2011 a draft updated Business Plan for the project was released that describes a phased approach to construction that will allow the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) to adapt to changing financial conditions as it moves forward, section by section. The new business plan introduces a “building block” implementation approach to connect the state’s major Northern California and Southern California population centers with high-speed trains, and updates cost estimates, ridership figures and funding expectations to reflect current economic realities. The Authority collected public comments on the Draft Business Plan through January 17, 2012. The Business Plan project team is currently incorporating the comments as appropriate into a final Revised 2012 Business Plan, which will be brought to the Authority Board for adoption before it is submitted to the Legislature.  For more information, visit the webpage (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/Business_Plan_reports.aspx). Partially Revised Bay Area to Central Valley Draft Program EIR The Authority has circulated the Bay Area to Central Valley High-Speed Train (HST) Partially Revised Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PRDPEIR) in order to address the November 2011 Town of Atherton legal challenges and court rulings regarding the 2010 Bay Area to Central Valley High-Speed Train Revised Final Program Environmental Impact Report.  A public meeting was held on February 9, 2012, and comments were accepted through February 21, 2012.  For more information, visit the webpage (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/ba_cv_program_eir.aspx). Peer Review The California High-Speed Rail Peer Review Group submitted a report to the California Legislature recommending that bond funding of the project be postponed until a long-term funding source could be established.  The Authority released a response to the Legislative Peer Review Committee’s report rebutting several of the claims, including several factors relating to the feasibility and financing of High-Speed Rail.  The Authority’s response reiterated that its “Business Model” relies heavily on private sector involvement, anticipating that private operators will provide the rolling stock and operations and maintenance.  The Authority also clarified the phasing and blending approaches in the 2012 Draft Business Plan that reduce impacts, costs and public opposition to the development of high-speed rail.  For more information, visit the website (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/pr_01032012.aspx).  To download the Authority’s letter to the California Legislature, click here (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=11536). PROJECT SECTION UPDATES San Jose to Merced The San Jose to Merced section of the system is 125 miles long. Starting at the Diridon Train Station in downtown San Jose, trains would travel south through Gilroy, east through the Pacheco Pass to the vicinity of Chowchilla, to connect with the Central Valley section (Merced to Fresno). To learn more, please visit the San Jose to Merced section of the Authority website (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/San_Jose_-_Merced.aspx). Supplemental Alternatives Analyses Supplemental Alternatives Analysis Reports presented on May 5, 2011, included studies on new alignments added in Morgan Hill-Gilroy, Pacheco Pass, and San Joaquin Valley Crossing subsections, SR 152 alternatives and “Wye” alignments (where the east-west tracks meet north-south tracks). San Jose Visual Design Guidelines The Authority and the City of San Jose have continued to work in partnership to develop aesthetic design guidelines for HST aerial and at-grade infrastructure through the City of San Jose.   The Visual Design Guidelines document is available on the City of San José Department of Transportation website (http://www.sanjoseca.gov/transportation/highspeedtrain/highspeedtrain_home.asp) South Santa Clara County Workshops A fourth round of community workshops for the Morgan Hill – Gilroy subsection were recently held to give a project update, discuss station location and design options, and alignment alternatives. The presentation for the meeting is available online (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/assets/0/152/256/266/daeea7ea-5490-4424-9b18-728579f2118b.pdf). Gilroy Visioning Process The Authority has been working in close coordination with the City of Gilroy on their visioning process for a Gilroy High-Speed Train station.  More information can be found on the City of Gilroy’s website (http://www.gilroyhighspeedtrain.org/). San Jose to Merced Section Draft EIR/EIS Comments received on the Supplemental Alternatives Analyses, the San Jose Visual Design Guideline and other project issues will be considered during the preparation of the Draft Environmental Document for this section. Public circulation of the Draft EIR/EIS for the San Jose to Merced section is now anticipated to occur in late 2012. For an overview of the EIR/EIS process, visit the webpage (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/assets/0/152/159/d5b7f1b8-c902-4050-b246-522b707a9b2f.pdf). Merced to Fresno Merced to Fresno Section EIR/EIS and Recommendation of Preferred Route Three routes were fully analyzed in the Draft EIR/EIS, which was released August 15, 2011. On December 13, 2011, after reviewing extensive public comments and feedback from Central Valley residents, agricultural groups and businesses, the Authority identified the “Hybrid Alternative” as the locally preferred alternative (LPA). Work is now underway to respond to comments received in a Final EIR/EIS. Following the publication of the Final EIR/EIS, anticipated in mid-2012, the Authority and FRA will select an alignment and station locations. Once an alignment has been approved for that section, a Record of Decision (ROD) and Notice of Determination (NOD) will be issued allowing the project to move forward to final design and construction. More information is available on the Authority’s website (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/Merced_-_Fresno.aspx). FOR MORE INFORMATION, TO SCHEDULE A BRIEFING OR REQUEST MATERIALS If you or your organization would like to request a briefing or have informational materials provided, please call or email the project outreach team via the contact information provided below. Visit: http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/ Call:   800-881-5799 E-mail: san.jose_merced@hsr.ca.gov Para más información sobre California High-Speed Train Project, por favor Ilame al1-800-881-5799, envíe un correo electrónico a san.jose_merced@hsr.ca.gov o visite la Página Web www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.