“FULL STEAM AHEAD” ON HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT CONNECTING THE ANTELOPE VALLEY WITH LAS VEGAS

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced that a legal settlement with Caltrans, which defers construction for the multi-lane highway portion of the High Desert Corridor, will not impact plans for a high-speed rail already underway to connect Palmdale to Victorville. 

“The settlement does not impact or slow down the rail component of the project,” said Barger, who sits on the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board (JPA).  “We are moving forward full steam ahead and partnering with Virgin Trains USA to ultimately connect their high-speed train service from Vegas into Palmdale.”

The JPA has been examining some potential alternatives to a multi-lane highway to meet near-term traffic demands while still attempting to satisfy the purpose and need of the environmental document.  Leading up to the JPA’s decision, it became evident that traffic demand projections within the area had eased and such a large highway may not be necessary at this time.  The larger highway component has not been eliminated and will be revisited if and when the demand warrants.