Noted dates for HSR
Author: LES
Date: 07-11-2021 - 08:35
Will have a clear picture by September.
Key dates:
California legislators adjourn on September 10, 2021.
US congress will have their infrastructure bill(s) passed by September as well.
Brightline starts HSR construction in 2022. Brightline had similar bond issues with their Florida line so no worries here.
"High Desert Corridor's Rail Project Record of Decision approval in late 2021/early 2022.
This will complete clearance for the high-speed rail component and put the HDC project in
position to advance to the next phase, Preliminary Engineering"
"early 2021, Metro Board approves $5,000,000 budget for HDC Intercity Rail
Service Development Plan & Funding Plan including $3,000,000 of HDC Measure M funds,
$1,375,000 in CalSTA 2018 Transit Intercity Rail Capital Plan State grant under the Network
Integration category, and $625,000 from Brightline West ($250,000 in cash and $375,000 of inkind contributions)"
"LA Metro, and CalSTA approve over $220,000,000 for four capital improvement projects along the Metrolink Antelope Valley Line (AVL) to improve safety and train speeds. Commuter train service frequency will double in the corridor by 2025."
Notable Brightline activities as of July 8th, 2021:
"Early design work: is similar to the approved Las Vegas Victor
Valley segment:
Located in the I-15 corridor
No at-grade crossings
Fully electrified
Schedule coordination with Metrolink
Station Location: Adjacent to existing Metrolink Rancho Cucamonga station
Final approvals on the Las Vegas Victor Valley segment, environmental work on Rancho Cucamonga extension, and work on service delivery plan on Palmdale extension will flow into early 2022
Anticipating a ≈ 3.5 year construction timeline"
Estimates:
2025 Brightline to Victorville with Palmdale 2026.
2025 ACE and Valley Link
2026 HSR Merced-Bakersfield
Only missing Bakersfield-Palmdale section
2028 Bakersfield-Palmdale if US congress approves funds.
Prediction is an ACE/SJs-Merced like connection in Southern Cal with Palmdale being
the Merced of the south. In accordance with Prop1A, HSR construction along Bakersfield to Palmdale will proceed allowing for 250 miles of track capable of speeds ranging from 150-220 mph. 125mph connectors at Merced and Palmdale and no buses necessary.