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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/01/27 Item 8CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT ~~~~~ CITY OF '~" CHULA VISTA 1/27/09, Item ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA SUPPORTING THE EXTENSION OF THE CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY (CHSRA) HIGH SPEED TRAIN ALIGNMENT, SOUTH OF THE SANTA FE STATION IN SAN DIEGO TO THE~~:.H BAY REGION SUBMITTED BY: DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ~`+e, t REVIEWED BY: ASSISTANT CITY NAGER S j CITY MANAGER 4/STHS VOTE: YES ^ NO SUMMARY Established in 1996, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is the state entity responsible for planning, constructing and operating aHigh-Speed Train (HST) system serving California's major metropolitan areas. With the certification of the Statewide Final Program- Level Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the Authority has begun implementation of the 800-mile high-speed train system serving Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Valley, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, Orange County and San Diego. The HST alignment presently being studied terminates at the Santa Fe train station in downtown San Diego. The City would like to pursue studying extending the alignment of the HST into the South Bay. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary. RECOMMENDATION Council adopt the resolution. BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Not applicable. 8-1 1/27/09, Item~_ Page 2 of 3 DISCUSSION Over the last 10 years, the Authority has completed the studies necessary to prepare for the implementation of high=speed trains in California. The findings indicate that high speed trains improve our travel opportunities, create jobs, remove greenhouse gases from the air, save energy and the economy in general. Voter approval of Proposition lA on the November 4 ballot provided $9 billion in bond funding for the 800-mile statewide HST network and $950 million to finance capital improvements to commuter and intercity rail as well as local transit lines that will connect existing infrastructure to the HST system. The following discussion was taken in part from www.cahi~hspeedrail.ca.~ov. The proposed system stretches over 800 miles and would connect San Diego, Los Angeles, the Central Valley, San Francisco, and Sacramento. San Diego would be connected from Los Angeles via the Inland Empire. High-speed train (HST) service along the Inland Corridor would parallel Interstates 215 and 15 and extend south to downtown San Diego. HST service on the coastal comdor would extend no further south than Irvine, as a result of environmental constraints along the coast and in coastal communities between South Orange County and San Diego. The high-speed train system would lower the number of intercity automobile passengers on highways by up to 70 million annually. What's more. it will cost less than half the cost of expanding freeways and airports to meet future intercity travel demand and would eliminate the need to construct 3000 lane miles of highways, 91 airport gates and five additional airport runways. High-speed trains will be capable of maximum speeds of 220 miles per hour with an expected trip time from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Forecasts indicate the system could potentially carry over 100 million passengers per year by 2030. What makes high-speed trains so safe? High-speed trains are considered to be the safest and most reliable form of transportation. High- speed trains operate on grade separated tracks designed for high-speeds. Most train accidents are the consequence of passenger and freight trains using the same tracks and with a signaling and switching system that depends on humans. Approximately 87% of California's 800-mile route will be on new completely separate track reserved for the exclusive use of high-speed trains. The key distinguishing reasons for the near perfect safety record of high-speed train travel in Europe and Asia are summarized below. (The California High-Speed Rail Project will incorporate all of these safety features, building upon the proven safety and design criteria used for existing high- speed train systems in Europe and Asia): The entire high-speed train system is fully access controlled and grade-separated (there are no at grade crossings with roads, pedestrians, or other rail services), eliminating pedestrian and motor vehicle conflicts. The high-speed train systems are completely double-tracked with additional tracks at intermediate stations to support express operations. The trains are centrally monitored and controlled, effectively preventing operators from making serious errors, stopping or slowing trains automatically in the event of external problem such as earthquakes, objects falling on the tracks, or gale force winds. High-speed train traffic control and communications systems are state-of-the- 8-2 1/27/09, Item Page 3 of 3 art, regulated, and managed during all hours of operation. These systems monitor and limit the train's speed, schedule, routing, and headway (following distance behind another train). These systems, combined with the operator, have integral redundancy and ensure safety. • Heavy, conventional freight trains do not share infrastructure designed for high-speed operations. • High-speed trains use a cab signaling system that transmits commands directly to the driver. This technology makes high-speed operation possible in darkness, rain, and fog. In Japan, even moderate snowfall does not slow the Shinkansen because of special ice-melting equipment built into the rail bed. • Unlike aircraft, high-speed train systems are not subject to turbulence. Passengers may sit without seat restraints and may stand and walk comfortably even at maximum speeds and around curves. DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property, which is the subject of this action. FISCAL IMPACT There is no impact to the General Fund as a result of this action. ATTACHMENTS 1. California High Speed Rail Authority Flyer Prepared by: David Kaplan, Transportation Engineer, Engineering Dept. M: IEngineerlAGENDAICAS2009101-27-091CHSRA CAS 1-I 5-09 dek.doc 8-3 ATTACI-~rt~NT ~ CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY -' A Better Option for Southern California .With voter approval of the high-speed train bond in November 2008,construction is likely to begin as early as 2011 on an 800-mile statewide system of high-speed trains that will move people and goods like never before. California High-Speed Train Proposed Route Sacramento fhe Problem;: Congestion ;;r California's population will grow to 50 million people in 20 years, much of it in Southern California. Already, Southern California has two of the top five most congested urban areas in the United States-Los Angeles and San Diego. Traffic congestion costs California $20 billion per year in wasted fuel and lost time. California is the 12th largest source of greenhouse gases on the planet. i& 41%of California emissions come from our transportation system. +v High-speed trains will reduce congestion on freeways and surface streets by creating high- speed options for travelers, improved freight movement and enhanced local commuter transit. _= Los Angeles International Airport is quickly reaching capacity. Heigh-speed trains are the best means for moving passengers to and from the Palmdale and Ontario airports. High-speed trains use 1/3 the energy of air travel and 1/5 the energy of auto travel. t High-speed trains will reduce dependence on foreign oil by up to 12.7 million barrels per year. 8-5 SanFrancisco Transbay Stc Terminal•..oawan° ~ Millbrae-SFO ~. Redwood City ~: or Palo Alto San Jose Diridon Gilroy • "High-speed rail holds the potential to be a viable alternative to driving, to help reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and make getting to and from the airport easier for everyone." Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa High-speed trains will eliminate over 12 billion pounds of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming each year. That's equivalent to removing more than one million vehicles from our roads annually. s;~ High-speed trains will be separated from all crossing auto and pedestrian traffic. and the system will be fenced to prevent intrusion. High-speed trains will not share tracks with freight services, but will be immediately adjacent to existing tracks. ~ckton ' Downtown ' Modesto Downtown Merced Fresno Visalia/TUlare/Hanford (potential) • Bakersfield Palmdale Airport Sylmar - Burbank -~ Industry Ontario Airport -LOS Angeles ~ ~ '- f ~. Riverside Norwalk ~, .Anaheim ~. livine ~ Murrieta '. HST Preferred Alignmen65 Pmpesed High-Speed Commuter Rail /HST Overlay ~ Stations ~ Potential Station Map oYSetl On 3005 $Ifl[dviltln P,o~,ammtltic t Nut anN eo3rtl caeen c ly, 2ep""/ 1aWn Los Angeles Union Station to Orange County The existing rail corridor will be used to bring high-speed train service to Orange County with a terminal at Anaheim (ARTIC station), and later could be extended as far south as Irvine with a station at the Irvine Transportation Center. Los Angeles Union Station to Riverside and San Diego Existing rail corridors will be used to bring direct high-speed train service from Los Angeles to Riverside with links to stations at Ontario Airport and Riverside. From Riverside to San Diego, the system will follow the I-215/1-15 freeway corridors with a station at Murrieta/ Temecula. To bring the trains to the heart of downtown San Diego, the train line will use the existing rail corridor immediately adjacent to the existing rail tracks. Los Angeles Union Station to Palmdale Direct high-speed train service from Palmdale to Los Angeles with multi- modal stations at L.A. Union Station, Burbank, Sylmar/San Fernando and Palmdale Airport. . ,.., TY8V01 ROUte TravemTnine ~a,~,,. Anaheim to San Francisco 2:57 Los Angeles to San Francisco 2:38 Los Angeles to San Diego 1:18 Burbank to Bakersfield :49 Ontario to San Francisco 3:02 Riverside to Merced 2:11 Anaheim to Modesto 2:09 Anaheim to Sacramento 2:36 Riverside to Palmdale :59 San Diego to Sacramento 3:35 San Diego to San Francisco 3:56 "A 20-minute high-speed train ride from Anaheim to downtown Los Angeles is a great way not only to relieve traffic congestion on freeways, but to also address future needs." - Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle CALIFORNfA HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY 925 L Street, Suite 1425, Sacramento, CA 95814 www. cah i ghs peed rai I.ca. gov RESOLUTION NO. 2009- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA SUPPORTING THE EXTENSION OF THE CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY (CHSRA) HIGH SPEED TRAIN ALIGNMENT, SOUTH OF THE SANTA FE STATION IN SAN DIEGO TO THE SOUTH BAY REGION WHEREAS, the voters in the State of California passed proposition lA supporting the issuance of bonds for a high speed train/rail system that runs from San Francisco to San Diego; and WHEREAS, the State of California High Speed Rail Authority has begun to solicit input on the route the high speed train will take; and WHEREAS, current plans for the high speed train are currently planned to terminate in downtown San Diego; and WHEREAS, this high speed train will act as an economic engine offering alternative transportation for tourist and employees alike; and WHEREAS, South San Diego County has tourism amenities, over 7,200 private sector firms providing jobs to 88,600 residents; and WHEREAS, South San Diego County is the location for the busiest border crossing in the world, is the site of a newly approved port of entry and is the location for the proposed cross border terminal. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby support the extension of the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) high speed train alignment, south of the Santa Fe Station in San Diego to the South Bay region. Presented by Approved as to form by Richard A. Hopkins Director of Public Works ~ 1~fr~zy Bart C. Miesfe City Attorney 8-8