Bakersfield - Palmdale

Due to the large scope of the project – the largest public infrastructure project in the nation – the environmental review is being conducted in two parts: at the statewide level followed by a more specific project-level review of each of the nine sections of the system. Each project section is moving through this process at a different pace.

The Bakersfield to Palmdale section of the 800-mile system is 85 miles long. This section travels southeast and roughly parallels highways 58 and 14. Stations will be in the terminus cities of Bakersfield, where it will connect with the Fresno to Bakersfield section, and Palmdale, where it will connect with the Palmdale to Los Angeles section.

The high-speed train project is expected to create 81,000 construction-related jobs in this section over the life of construction . Once operating, projections estimate 5,100 boardings daily in Bakersfield and 12,900 in Palmdale, with travel time between Bakersfield and Palmdale estimated at 31 minutes. CO2 emission savings are estimated at 63 lbs. per trip.