California HSR planners opt for Grapevine route

The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors approved beginning a conceptual study of an alternate alignment between Bakersfield and Los Angeles, an alignment that would generally follow Interstate 5, along the route known as the Grapevine, to determine if it may be considered as a feasible alternative along with the two antelope Valley alignments being studied to connect Bakersfield to Los Angeles. "We're looking at as many alternatives as possible to make sure we construct the best system we can," said Roelof van Ark, CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. "The Grapevine route could offer some advantages by saving time, distance and cost. A conceptual study gives us a chance to talk to the public and stakeholders to determine whether it will ultimately work." Staff requested to reintroduce the study of the Grapevine alignment, which was conceptually studied in the statewide programmatic environmental review conducted in 2003-2005, because since that time a number of factors have changed in the corridor. In 2005, the Grapevine alignment was not selected based on preliminary information that revealed it to be technically less viable and potentially more costly than the Antelope Valley route. "We're looking at all factors and all means to get past the Tehachapi Mountains and into the Los Angeles Basin, and if that means we need to give the Grapevine another look, now is the time to do it," said van Ark. The conceptual review of the Grapevine alternative is expected to assist staff in determining whether the option is viable, or whether it contains fatal flaws.