HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/17/1994, C-6 - COAST RAIL HIGH SPEED PASSENGER TRAIN PROJECT IIII�II�IIIII��I�I�III r MEETING GATE:
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FROM: Mike McCluskey, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Coast Rail High Speed Passenger Train Project
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution in Support of the Coast Rail High Speed Passenger Train Project
DISCUSSION:
At various times the California Coast Rail Line has been discussed as a possible high speed train
route serving San Francisco and Los Angeles. Other rail routes have also been discussed for high
speed rail. As a result, the High Speed Rail Commission was established, pursuant to SCR-6 in
1993. That commission is currently deciding which route should be studied for high speed rail.
The California Coast route, which also services the City of San Luis Obispo, has been found to be
the most popular inter-city passenger train route in the United States. The route represents the only
through passenger train route between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The ability to travel along
this route at high speed will boost the California economy, create new jobs, reduce automobile
traffic, and improve air quality.
As mentioned earlier, the Commission is considering various routes for study of high speed rail
possibilities. It is appropriate at this time for all agencies interested in such studies of their routes
to make known their desires. Therefore, staff has proposed a resolution in favor of the Coast Rail
High Speed Passenger Train Project. The resolution is attached for Council review and adoption.
C-�-1
RESOLUTION NO. (1994 Series)
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF
COAST RAIL LINE HIGH SPEED
PASSENGER TRAIN PROJECT
WHEREAS, the 424 mile California Coast Rail Line is host to the most popular
intercity passenger train in the United States, the Coast Starlight;
WHEREAS, the Coast Rail Line represents the only through passenger train route
between the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles;
WHEREAS, recent studies demonstrate that for less than 1 billion dollars, the
Coast Rail Line can be transformed into a high speed intercity passenger train route
capable of achieving speeds as high as 125 MPH and reducing the current 12-hour trip
between the Bay Area and Los Angeles to about 6 hours;
WHEREAS, transformation of the Coast Rail Line into a high speed passenger
train route will help boost the California economy, create thousands of new jobs, reduce
automobile traffic, improve air quality, and help preserve the most beautiful passenger
train route in the nation;
WHEREAS, the Coast Rail Line need not compete with any other high speed
project in California because the state's transportation and clean air requirements
demand a high speed passenger train system serving various regions and populations;
WHEREAS,the Coastal Corridor communities will grow to a population of almost
19 million residents by the year 2010 according to the California Department of Finance;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of San Luis Obispo supports
implementation of the Coast Rail Line High Speed Passenger Train Project, and
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THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of San Luis Obispo requests the.
United States Department of Transportation, the California Department of
Transportation, the High Speed Rail Commission established.pursuant to SCR 6 (1993),
and other regional and local transportation agencies to conduct the studies and analysis
and seek the funding required to implement the Coast Rail Line High Speed Passenger
Train Project as quickly as possible:
MAYOR.PEG PINARD
ATTEST:
CTTTY CLERK DIANE GLADWELL.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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