Map Unveiled For California Bullet Train

California's High-Speed Rail board has published it's propsed alignment for the state's futuristic 'bullet train'.

2 minute read

November 14, 2004, 11:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board (CHSRA) gave their advisory approval -- pending final analysis of public and agency comments -- of three key route alignments for California's high-speed train system.

While recognizing the significance of the steps they are now taking, Board and staff members also raised doubts that the environmental review process could be completed within this fiscal year under their current budget.

For the Los Angeles to Bakersfield connection (Southern Mountain Crossing in EIR documents),Authority staff recommended the route through the Antelope Valley with a station in Palmdale.

"While this option adds about 10 minutes to the express travel service and has fewer intercityridership numbers, it’s less expensive to build and provides direct service to the Antelope Valley –L.A. County’s fastest growing city. Los Angeles and Palmdale showed substantial support for thisalignment option and it has fewer environmental impacts, less challenging terrain and is lesssubject to earthquakes according to technical documents and public comment..."

To connect Los Angles with San Diego through Orange County, the staff recommended to useimprovements to the Surfliner service on the existing LOSSAN corridor because it costs $2.25billion less than creating a new alignment.

The staff recommended that direct high-speed train service to Los Angeles International Airport(LAX) not be part of the initial network. Instead, the high-speed train system would be connected toLAX and Western Los Angeles County by local transportation (shuttle, regional transit, or theautomobile). According to staff, a direct high-speed train link to LAX requires a costly spur line withvery limited maximum speeds that would have lower ridership potential than high-speed train linksto San Diego (via the Inland Empire) and to Orange County.

[Editor's note: The link below is to a 1 MB PDF document.]

Thanks to Chris Steins

Thursday, November 11, 2004 in California High-Speed Rail Authority

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square