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California ‘Bullet Train’ Route Near Santa Clarita Approved, Despite Concerns

The California “Bullet Train” route from Palmdale to Burbank has been approved, after harsh criticism from several Santa Clarita leaders.


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The California High-Speed Rail Authority approved a 38-mile segment of the “Bullet Train,” called the CA-14 Route, which is only a few miles outside of Santa Clarita city limits.

“The staff gave a glowing presentation that the train is going to bring, but unfortunately they do not take into consideration the negative impact of actual people, land use, much cherished open space, and wildlife corridors that protect wildlife species,” said Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean.

See Related: Proposed California Bullet Train Route Won’t Include Santa Clarita Station, Officials Say

The route follows Highway 14 through the San Gabriel Mountains via five separate tunnels and over bridges, starting in Palmdale; going through Acton, Agua Dulce, Santa Clarita and San Fernando; and ending in Burbank, according to the Rail Authority.

More than half of the proposed route would be below ground, including through Sylmar, the Angeles National Forest and the San Gabriel Mountains.

The Santa Clarita City Council sent a letter to the Rail Authority earlier this year saying, in part, the council will oppose any plan that’s not completely underground.

“They understand that there are problems for people, but they think that people just need to accept those because they think that it’s a benefit to everybody,” said McLean. “I do not agree with that statement.”

City officials supported one of the three original proposed routes from Palmdale to Burbank, which mostly tunneled through the mountains.

“The current plan is both above ground and below ground,” said McLean. “This will affect the communities close to the project.”

McLean is an avid supporter of public transportation, but wants the project to have less of an impact on the surrounding areas.

See Related: High Speed Rail Authority Hears Public Input From Southern California Residents

The proposed 38-mile segment is part of the 800-mile state high-speed rail project connecting San Francisco to Anaheim.

“Once operational, high-speed rail will breathe new life into local economies by encouraging the movements of residents and visitors between the major regions of the state like never before, while at the same time, protecting California’s environment,” said Rail Authority officials in a press release.

When completed, passengers who use the high-speed rail line are expected to be able to get from Palmdale to Burbank in 20 minutes or less.

The project has seen a drastic increase in cost, from an initial estimate of $33 billion to the current estimate proposed in the 2018 plan of $77.3 billion, according to the Rail Authority.

The Rail Authority’s plan says the California bullet train system would be completed by 2033.

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California ‘Bullet Train’ Route Near Santa Clarita Approved, Despite Concerns

2 comments

  1. This bullet train is a sham and a tax suck. All the smart folks that voted to pass prop 6 will likely never see the freeway’s improved because they will divert the funds to this wasteful train. We desperately need WATER storage in CA. New Dams and canals etc. This bullet train project continues to exceed the budget and it’s not even built. Thank You

  2. What a horrible waste of taxpayers money. We need water storage, desalination plants, road/bridge improvements and better metropolitan rail lines NOT a bullet train.

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.