Regional Newsletters

November 2020

 

MTC Includes High-Speed Rail in Funding Blueprint

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in September voted to adopt the final blueprint for Plan Bay Area 2050. The blueprint includes substantial investment, up to $7 billion, in bringing high-speed rail to the Bay Area as a regional funding priority.

The blueprint will be the basis for the development of Plan Bay Area 2050, which will be the next Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy for the San Francisco Bay Area. The investments described in the blueprint focus on joint-benefit projects that would be needed both for high-speed rail and for improvements in existing rail services.

Northern California Regional Director Boris Lipkin welcomed the decision by the MTC.

“The action by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is a notable step to bring California High-Speed Rail to the Bay Area. This marks the first time any region has sought to align regional investments in an effort to match state and federal dollars to build California’s high-speed rail system.

We applaud MTC’s interest in pushing for clean, green mobility choices for California and look forward to working with partners across the Bay Area to make it happen.”

To learn more about MTC’s action, please visit https://mtc.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4633798&GUID=F91D833F-21F5-400B-895E-815F1B05D0C8

To view the Plan Bay Area 2050 Blueprint, please visit https://www.planbayarea.org/sites/default/files/PlanBayArea2050_FinalBlueprint_Strategies.pdf

 

Stakeholder Survey Informs Outreach Planning During Pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, public engagement has looked a little different and the Authority anticipates the need to accommodate health and safety parameters into the new year. As we look back at 2020, outreach quickly pivoted from in person gatherings to webinars and online open houses to maintain contact and get the word out on ways to engage with the high-speed rail program.

Looking forward to 2021, the Authority conducted a survey to gather feedback from Northern California stakeholders and members of the public on how they prefer to learn about the project as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. With more than 600 surveys completed, nearly 80 percent of survey respondents said they remain “very interested” in the California High-Speed Rail project.

 

Preferred Communication Methods

The survey found more than 60% of existing stakeholders rely on the Authority’s newsletters to stay up to date about the program. The Authority website at www.hsr.ca.gov and newspapers were also cited as important sources.

Survey respondents said they are less likely to rely on social media for information, although Authority staff have other indicators that this might be a useful tool to diversify outreach to those not on the Authority’s email lists.

Most respondents indicated they were not yet ready to participate in socially distanced in-person meetings. However, virtual meetings have become more familiar, and the majority of respondents said they would attend a webinar or YouTube Town Hall.

 

Topics of Interest

Respondents overwhelmingly prioritized the State Rail Plan and understanding how the Northern California project will connect to other rail services across the state as a topic of interest. Other priority topics included construction progress, plans for phased service implementation and blended system operations (shared track with local and high-speed trains).

Several respondents also commented that they would like more information about costs and funding, the rail experience for travelers with mobility impairments, high-speed rail connections with college campuses, and how the public can help to advance the completion of the system.

 

Looking to 2021

Many respondents expressed excitement about riding high-speed trains and look forward to more information about the rider experience. One commenter added, “Once Californians get a taste of Merced to Bakersfield, we’re sure the support will be there for a statewide high-speed rail network!”

We have heard this interest and are currently working with the Early Train Operator to preview the surveys and focus groups they are conducting to the Northern California working groups this Fall and will pursue broader audiences in early 2021.

These findings will help inform topics that the Authority outreach team will use in engaging and informing stakeholders and members of the public in 2021. Thank you to all who participated in the survey!

Although the pandemic continues to limit certain types of activities, our priority remains the same: to keep the public informed and allow for ongoing engagement.

Sign up to receive our newsletter and other communications at hsr.ca.gov/contact.

 

Staedler: High-Speed Rail Collaborating for a Win-Win in Coyote Valley – San José Spotlight

San José Spotlight’s John Staedler reports on how the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the Santa Clara Open Space Authority and other stakeholders are collaborating to protect wildlife in Coyote Valley. Read more in the San José Spotlight.

 

How Military Experience Helped Shape Brian Ross’ Business Acumen

Brian Ross spent eight years in the U.S. Army serving as a platoon leader for an engineering unit. A year of that time was in Afghanistan working on route clearance, searching for improvised explosive devices and overseeing base construction in the country’s most forsaken regions.

“As an engineering unit, we weren’t going around kicking in doors and looking for insurgents,” Ross recalled. “But we were exposed to a lot of attacks and a lot of threats on a regular basis. It was scary and stressful at times. As a platoon leader, I was responsible for the health and welfare of 50-plus soldiers.”

Read the full story in the Small Business Newsletter.

 

Caltrain Celebrates Passage of Revenue Measure

With nearly all ballots counted, voters in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties have approved Measure RR, which will provide Caltrain its first ever source of dedicated funding. Read more at Caltrain’s website.

November 2020

 

Transformational Palmdale Transit Plan Heads to City Council

Palmdale City Manager J.J. Murphy is optimistic about the future and the Palmdale Transit Area Specific Plan (PTASP) which redesigns the existing Palmdale Transportation Center (PTC), includes a high-speed rail station and was recently approved by the Planning Commission.

“Cities don’t often have the opportunity to build a new downtown around a multi-modal high-speed rail station, and create office, dining, retail and housing for a walkable downtown where you won’t need a car,” Murphy said.

Working with the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), regional partners, stakeholders, the community and developers, the plan covers a 746-acre area surrounding the PTC. The PTASP proposes a development strategy for multi-modal connectivity, a pedestrian-oriented mixed-use district and the future high-speed rail station. This next step for the plan is moving forward to the Palmdale City Council on December 15 for their consideration.

The planning effort, funded by a Station Planning Grant from the Authority, led to the creation of the PTASP. Deputy City Manager Mike Behen is enthusiastic about the results. “This plan, and what it offers, is transformational for Palmdale and the area,” he said.

Goals in the PTASP are to establish Palmdale as a destination, improve the quality of life by reducing commute time, and create economic opportunities and jobs. The overarching goal is the creation of a vibrant mixed-use station that embodies sustainable, economic and social development of the area.

Palmdale is expected to experience a new era of strategic growth with increased interest and development around the future multimodal station. Future statewide high-speed rail service will further provide a new link between Central and Southern California and the statewide transportation network. There will also be connection opportunities in Palmdale for high-speed trains between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

“Palmdale is a diamond in the rough,” said Behen. “We have available land, major aerospace industry giants are here, a great workforce, affordable housing, and with high-speed rail, residents can get to Burbank in 25 minutes and Los Angeles in 30 minutes.”

 

Authority Holds Three Community Outreach Meetings for Southern California Sections in September, October

High-speed rail planning and progress is happening in Southern California as the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) held three virtual bilingual (English/Spanish) community outreach meetings in September and October.

LOS ANGELES-ANAHEIM PROJECT SECTION

Two virtual scoping meetings were held Sept. 10 and 12 for the Los Angeles to Anaheim project section to provide information regarding the Colton and Lenwood project components. The combined English and Spanish virtual sessions at the Sept. 10 meeting drew about 120 attendees and the Sept. 12 meeting drew about 30 participants.

Panelists included Authority staff and interim Regional Director Ofelia Alcantara, Project Manager Diane Ricard, and environmental and technical leads who gave an overview of the statewide program followed by a presentation of the Los Angeles to Anaheim project section. This included the introduction of the new Colton and Lenwood project components, project schedule, proposed grade separation locations and next steps.

The Sept. 10 meeting also focused on project funding, project operation, construction timeline, outreach to native tribe liaisons and potential environmental (noise, air quality, wildlife habitats) impacts.

The Sept. 12 meeting focused on air quality concerns, community impacts, increased traffic, potential jobs, expansion of freight capacity and safety.

Visit the What’s New and Community Open House Meetings sections of the project section website for more information: https://hsr-staging.hsr.ca.gov/high_speed_rail/project_sections/los_angeles_anaheim.aspx

PALMDALE-BURBANK PROJECT SECTION

One virtual community update meeting was held Oct. 22 for the Palmdale to Burbank project section highlighting the modified build alternatives, including the Preferred Alternative which is now SR14A. There were about 170 attendees including notable organizations in both the English and Spanish sessions.

Panelists included Southern California’s new Regional Director LaDonna DiCamillo who gave an overview of the statewide program followed by a presentation of the Palmdale to Burbank project section by Project Manager Rick Simon. Presentations included features of the corridor, project alternatives and reasons for selecting the SR 14A modified alternative.

The question and answer segment in both the English and Spanish sessions covered a variety of topics – construction, tunneling including lengths and depths of tunnels, noise, environmental, community impacts, funding and alignment finalization.

Visit the What’s New and Community Open House Meetings sections of the project section website for more information: https://hsr-staging.hsr.ca.gov/high_speed_rail/project_sections/palmdale_burbank.aspx

 

Meet the New Southern California Regional Director: Q & A with LaDonna DiCamillo

LaDonna DiCamillo has been appointed Southern California Regional Director for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority). After growing up in Iowa, DiCamillo went to work for AT&SF Railway, which later became BNSF Railway. DiCamillo, who has a degree in Chemistry and later obtained her J.D., did environmental and government affairs work for BNSF. Her focus was on advancing the company’s mission within California and other southwestern states. She did that by closely working with federal, state and local elected officials and community leaders.

We recently caught up with DiCamillo to learn more about her new role at the Authority helping to advance high-speed rail in the region.

Q: Tell us about what you enjoy most about living and working in Southern California.

A: I can find and do anything I want in SoCal—from beaches to mountains and lots of shopping, entertainment and access to great food.

Q: With two, newly crowned championship teams in Los Angeles, would you consider yourself a Dodgers fan or a Lakers fan?

A: Though married to a football coach, I’m not much of sports fan. I watch as much of the Tour de France (and other rides) as I can. I enjoy riding my road bike and watching the scenery of the Tour is a great way to feel connected to another place.

Q: Tell us a little more about your background and how you are settling into the new job since the Governor announced your appointment on September 30?

A: I love my new team and work! We have a great team and are striving to advance an important infrastructure project for Southern Californians.

Q: How would you describe your new role as Southern California Regional Director, and what are your primary goals?

A: I hope to share my enthusiasm for our mission with all Southern California.

Q: What should Southern Californians know about high-speed rail and its eventual connection to the region?

A: We have an opportunity to get out of our cars. High-speed rail can reconnect the region and give back quality time with our families.

Q: What career advice would you give to those looking for jobs in the rail or transportation industry?

A: I’ve frequently been heard to say, “that’s dissertation work.” The industry is far more complicated and fluid than most people realize. There is something for everyone, and learning the industry can evolve through a full career and beyond.

Q: How do you spend your vacations?

A: My husband and I love to travel, especially if it involves food and wine. I often vacation by myself, too, somewhere I can quilt. I’m a bit artsy and like to get away into my right mind.

 

USC Planning Students Welcome High-Speed Rail Speakers

Students throughout the state, in every region, are learning about high-speed rail development in California through a unique program supported by the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority). Recently, the I Will Ride program connected planners working on high-speed rail in Southern California with the USC student club Undergraduate Planners at Price School of Public Policy to discuss station development at major transportation hubs in Los Angeles, Burbank, Palmdale and Anaheim. In addition, Authority speakers utilized the opportunity to share high-speed rail station development within the Central Valley and illustrate unique opportunities both in rural and urban regions.

USC students utilize Los Angeles Union Station (LAUS) to travel in and throughout the state and brought an eagerness to learn how the Authority would play a role in bringing high-speed rail to LAUS to create a high-volume transit center.

Over 24 students joined the Zoom meeting with a wide range of questions that touched on funding, policy, energy, emissions and collaborative efforts with existing transportation centers in Southern California.

Students were welcomed with a quick icebreaker to discuss their field of study and to share the many goals they had within their career. The students voiced their commitment to build a more equitable and sustainable transportation system within their careers in transit.

This presentation is part of a larger outreach effort to connect students to the high-speed rail project through interaction with engineering and planning professionals. Check out I Will Ride to learn more about our student outreach efforts at the Authority.

 

Soldiering On – Creating Virtual Connections in the Battlefield and Business Field

Erik Holguin wanted to be a soldier at a very early age and loved to play with toy soldiers and G.I. Joes, imitating his former Marine father. When he was older he joined the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and later, as an adult, his attraction to the military lifestyle inspired him to join the Army. Erik enjoyed his training and service as a communications expert in wartime situations, and today he owns and operates EM Link International, a veteran-owned business helping businesses and clients communicate in the virtual business world.

Read the full story in the Small Business Newsletter.

 

With Nearly Half a Century in the Business, Joe Valverde is a Veteran in Many Ways

Seven years, several new offices, a series of successes—things have been going well for Joe Valverde and Valverde Construction, Inc., since being featured in the Small Business Newsletter in the 1st quarter 2014.

For high-speed rail, the company focuses on utility relocation. They are hard at work on a $38 million subcontract with Tutor Perini/Zachry/Parsons, the high-speed rail design-build team for Madera to Fresno.

It is delicate work—navigating dense cities and their buried tangle of pipes and tubes carrying water, electricity and gas; high volumes of traffic; busy schedules; and various local partners and officials. And all while mitigating impacts to the community and businesses—disruptions, debris, discontent.

Read the full story in the Small Business Newsletter.