Jason Hade, Regional Planner

1
High-Speed Rail for the Kern Region

• Jason Hade, Regional Planner
• Kern COG Workshop November 21, 2002

Kern Council of Governments
2
Workshop Overview

• California High-Speed Rail Authority Progress
• Metropolitan Bakersfield High-Speed Rail Terminal
  Impact Analysis
• Upcoming Issues
• Resources/Questions

3
High-Speed Rail Authority Progress

• Rail Authority required to prepare a plan for the
  construction and operation of a high-speed train
  system for the state capable of achieving
  operating speeds of, at least, 200 mph
• Screening report for Sacramento-Bakersfield
  corridor approved by Authority on January 16, 2002

4
Environmental Review Process

• 2002/2003 state budget includes 7.05 million for
  Authority to prepare draft program EIR/EIS
• Draft program EIR/EIS scheduled for completion in
  August 2003
• Final program EIR/EIS expected to be completed by
  December 2003

5
Metropolitan Bakersfield High-Speed Rail Terminal
Impact Analysis

• Purpose of study is to analyze terminal impacts
  and benefits to assist with building consensus
  for final terminal site recommendation
• Three sites to be evaluated within Metropolitan
  Bakersfield 7th Standard Road/West of S.R. 99
  Golden State/F Street to M Street and
  Truxtun Avenue and S Street/Union Avenue.
• Wilbur Smith Associates to conduct study

6
Potential Terminal Sites
7
Project Timeline
8
Upcoming Issues

• Senate Bill 1856 Authorizes a 9.95 billion
  general obligation bond for the November 2004
  ballot
• 9 billion would create states share of
  construction costs for San Francisco Los
  Angeles segment of system
• Senate Bill 796 eliminates the Authoritys
  December 31, 2003 sunset date
• Final alignment and terminal decisions to be made
  by Authority upon completion of environmental
  studies (December 2003)

9
Resources/Questions

• California High-Speed Rail Authority -
  http//www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/
• SB 1856 and SB 796 information
  http//www.leginfo.ca.gov/
• Jason Hade, jhade_at_kerncog.org or (661)
  861-2191