Press Release

HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY RELEASES PREFERRED ROUTE THROUGH VALLEY 

Train stations in downtown Merced and downtown Fresno 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After reviewing extensive public comments and feedback from Central Valley residents, agricultural groups and businesses, the California High-Speed Rail Authority released a staff report today recommending a preferred route for the Merced to Fresno Section. 

“This is an exciting step, moving us closer to initiating construction,” said Dan Leavitt, Deputy Director of Planning for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. “We have listened to residents, businesses, agricultural and community groups and it is clear the hybrid route has the least impact on communities and is the most cost efficient.” 

The recommendation of the preferred route advances the northernmost Central Valley segment toward construction. Construction of this segment will generate thousands of jobs in one of the state’s highest unemployment regions. 

"We are looking forward to being the birthplace of California’s high-speed train system,” said Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin. “We are ready to put people to work building a system and a station that will connect Fresno to all of the other major cities in California. This project has the potential to transform and improve California’s future." 

“We are thrilled that we’re one step closer to seeing a high-speed train station in downtown Merced,” remarked Dr. Lee Boese, Jr., Co-Chair of the Greater Merced High-Speed Rail Committee. “This project will enhance the lives of residents in Merced and surrounding areas, as well as provide long-term economic growth for our business community. I agree with the Hybrid route recommendation, it will avoid impacts to the small towns of Planada and Le Grand. While we know that the high-speed train will serve as a powerful economic stimulator for our State, we want to continue to work closely with the Authority to design a system that will minimize negative impacts to existing businesses and agriculture. This is truly an exciting step forward.” 

The Authority began studying and evaluating potential routes for the Merced to Fresno Section, a corridor of approximately 65 miles, from 2001 to 2005. Based on this analysis, five alternative north-south alignment routes were identified in 2010. In August of this year, that list was narrowed to three routes, which were included in the Authority’s draft EIR/EIS. Based on continued community feedback and further analysis, the Authority selected the “Hybrid Alternative” route, which combines elements of the other two routes identified in the draft EIR/EIS. 

The Hybrid Alternative generally parallels the Union Pacific Railroad and State Route 99 between Merced and Fresno. To avoid impacts to downtown Madera, this route travels east to be adjacent to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) corridor. The station locations proposed along this route include downtown Merced between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and G Street and downtown Fresno at Mariposa Street. 

“Not only does this route have the fewest overall impacts but the hybrid route is financially sensible, saving hundreds of millions compared to the other two routes,” said Leavitt. 

It is estimated that the Union Pacific Railroad / State Route 99 would have cost $1 billion more than the Hybrid Alternative and the BNSF route would have cost $500 million more. 

The Board of Directors will receive a presentation from Authority staff on this recommendation at the regularly scheduled December 13, 2011 meeting in Merced and are expected to take action. The Authority has recommended that this route be identified as the preferred alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), which is now being prepared and scheduled for release in early 2012. There will be an opportunity for public comment at the board meeting and also following the release of the Final EIR/EIS. 

“The Authority will continue to reach out to property owners, residents and businesses in the project area over the next few months and throughout 2012 to discuss the route, mitigation efforts and ways that we can work together to move the project forward,” said Leavitt. 

The southernmost 24 miles along the Hybrid Alternative, from Ave 17 in Madera County through the City of Fresno to the downtown station, will be the first construction area included in the 130-mile initial construction segment. 

The “Merced to Fresno Staff Recommendation: Preferred Alternative” report is available on the Authority’s website at: http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/Merced_-_Fresno.aspx. 

California’s High-Speed Train Project    

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is developing a San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles and Anaheim high-speed rail system that will operate at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour. The full system will connect all of the state’s major urban centers, including Sacramento and San Diego. Initial infrastructure construction will begin in the Central Valley, the backbone of the system, in 2012. The project is being funded through voter-approved state bonds, federal funding grants, local funding, and public-private partnerships.     

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