Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Antelope Valley

CA High-Speed Rail Authority Approves Plan for Connection into L.A. County

12:31 PM PDT on August 20, 2021

High-speed rail train rendering – via CAHSRA

Yesterday, the California High-Speed Rail Authority approved the final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the 82-mile $19.7 billion Bakersfield to Palmdale section. That segment would bring high-speed rail into northern Los Angeles County.

The CAHSRA currently has 119 miles of high-speed rail under construction through California's Central Valley. That initial Central Valley segment will operate between Bakersfield and Merced, with conventional-speed rail connections to San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose. HSR will reach San Francisco directly some years after that.

CAHSR Bakersfield to Palmdale section map - via CAHSRA staff report
CAHSR Bakersfield to Palmdale section map - via CAHSRA staff report
CAHSR Bakersfield to Palmdale section map - via CAHSRA staff report

From Bakersfield, building south requires crossing the Tehachapi Mountains, which isn't easy or cheap. The plan calls for nine tunnels, totaling over ten miles, and fifteen miles of aerial structures. See SBCA's 2020 interview for more Bakersfield to Palmdale rail details.

There are still many more steps before the Bakersfield to Palmdale segment becomes a reality.

First, there are a few more administrative approvals. The CAHSRA will need to issue a Record of Decision (under federal environmental law - the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA) and to file a Notice of Determination (under state environmental law - the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA.)

And then there's the funding.

CAHSRA is still fighting for the legislature to approve Governor Newsom's proposal to release $4.2 billion in already-voter-approved Prop 1A bond funding largely to complete the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment. This proposed funding is supported by construction worker unions, but opposed by Southern California politicians pushing dubious schemes to divert the money to their districts.

This week's approval doesn't solve the funding questions, but it does put the Bakerfield-Palmdale section in a good position to catch some federal infrastructure money. President Biden has signaled his support for funding electric high-speed trains in the state. Getting more CAHSR sections "shovel-ready" means they will be better positioned to get those federal funds.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Funding for Rail Projects: An Incomplete Roundup

Various federal, state, and local funding sources are lining up.

December 8, 2023

Caltrans and Metro Using “Auxiliary Lane” Freeway Widening Loophole for Non-Aux Lane Projects

Beyond just using harmful loopholes legally, Metro and Caltrans deceptively bypass environmental regulations in order to keep on widening freeways

December 8, 2023

Seamless Bay Area Five Years Later

The founders of the Bay Area's advocacy group dedicated to fare integration and rational schedules talk about a half-decade of fighting for better transit and what's likely to happen in the next five years.

December 8, 2023

California Can’t Be a Climate Leader Until it Stops Building Freeways

Caltrans should be inducing demand for active transportation and transit with protected bikeways and bus-only lanes.

December 8, 2023

Friday’s Headlines

LA buses will have AI cameras to help enforce bus-only lanes; Who rides the LA subway? San Mateo transit officials want regional discussions to include them better; More

December 8, 2023
See all posts