California Finalizes High-Speed Train Route

Approval of Environmental Impact Report on Bay Area Route Clears
Way for Voters to Determine Fate of Train in California
SAN FRANCISCO--(Business Wire)--
Now the voters will decide. Today, the California High-Speed Rail
Authority approved the Bay Area to Central Valley HST Final Program
Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS),
outlining the planned route from San Francisco to the Central Valley.
After an exhaustive review of route options, the Pacheco Pass
alignment was selected to connect the Bay Area with the Central Valley
via high-speed train. The Authority's decision was a final step in
completing the program-level environmental analysis for the 800-mile
system, which determined the overall statewide route.

The Authority concluded that the Pacheco Pass alignment was the
fastest and most environmentally responsible option for the high-speed
train system, minimizing impacts on wetlands as well as the San
Francisco Bay and eliminating the need for another San Francisco Bay
crossing, bridge or tunnel. At the same time, the Authority also
committed to boosting regional rail commuter service in partnership
with local and regional agencies and transit providers such as ACE and
BART trains, via the Altamont Pass between Sacramento/Northern San
Joaquin Valley and Oakland/San Jose.

Authority Chair, Quentin Kopp, was exhilarated by today's
decision, "the Authority's approval of environmental findings, and the
least environmentally hurtful Pacheco Pass alignment to San Jose and
San Francisco's Transbay Terminal, represent a landmark act. All
segments of the Project now possess a valid certified environmental
analysis."

Proposition 1, a $9.95 billion dollar bond measure, is on the
November ballot with $9 billion for building the high-speed train
system and $950 million for improvements to other rail services that
connect to the high-speed train service. Proposition 1 requires a
simple majority vote for approval.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who testified in support of the
high-speed train system, hailed the action as a bold step for the
future of California. "Energy efficient high-speed trains are
essential for the economic future of the Bay Area as well as the
future of the state in terms of our competitiveness. This is a vision
that we can manifest in our lifetime. But now is the time to get
moving, to lead with innovative and creative approaches to
transportation and energy use. Now is the time to build this
high-speed train."

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed hailed the decision as a boost for
Silicon Valley. "The High-Speed Rail will connect the economic engines
of Northern and Southern California and will help our economy to grow
and thrive."

Today's approval of the Pacheco Pass route will bring the trains
into the Bay Area from Southern California and the Central Valley over
the pass between the Los Banos area and Gilroy, north to San Jose,
then up the Peninsula along the Caltrain's right-of-way to San
Francisco.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is responsible for
building and operating a high-speed train system that is integrated
with the state's intercity trains and bus networks, covering some 800
miles at speeds up to 220 mph. By linking all major cities with a
state-of-the-art new transportation option, California's planned
high-speed train system will increase mobility while reducing air
pollution and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global
warming. The system is forecast to carry over 100 million passengers
per year by 2030 with an expected trip time from San Francisco to Los
Angeles in under 2 hours and 40 minutes.

California High-Speed Rail Authority
Kris Deutschman, 916-444-8801 or 916-425-7174 (cell)

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