U.S. High Speed Rail Applauds MOU To Advance Southern California High Desert Corridor Project
Washington, D.C. — July 20 — U.S. High Speed Rail, a leading coalition of high-speed rail advocates nationwide, today applauded the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to advance development of the Southern California High DesertCorridor—a critical link in creating a Southwest Regional High-Speed Rail Network.
The MOU between that the CaliforniaHigh-Speed Rail Authority and the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency (HDCJPA) will coordinate environmental approvals, station integration and design, and materials purchases and construction.
“This MOU marks a major step forwardin building a Southwest Regional High-Speed Rail Network that will connectNorthern California, Southern California, and Las Vegas” said Andy Kunz,President and CEO of U.S. High Speed Rail. “Travelers will be able to takefast, electric bullet trains throughout the region and avoid freewaycongestion, crowded airports, and delayed flights.”
Cooperation between the two agencieswill reduce costs and accelerate delivery of the project, a 54-mile route from Palmdale to Victor Valley that will link the California High-Speed Rail Project to Brightline West, a 218-mile high-speed rail line that will connect Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California.
The 494-mile California High-Speed Rail system will connect San Francisco to Los Angeles through the CentralValley. The laying of track will begin this year.
The Southwest Regional Network will quickly connect urban and rural communities and people to employment hubs. Itwill spur a boom in new, affordable housing, reduce traffic congestion, lowergreenhouse gas emissions, and create thousands of good-paying jobs.
Access the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Southwest Regional Network map here.
About USHSR
USHSR is the national voice for high speed rail in America. We are an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit that unites companies, experts, and community leaders to build a modern, electric rail network. Since 2009 we have convened the industry, advanced smart policy, and educated the public with clear facts, maps, and events. Our work connects projects to partners and best practices so corridors move from vision to delivery. The mission is simple and urgent, to build widespread public, business, and political support for major federal investment in America’s rail network and deliver fast, reliable travel that strengthens communities and the economy.