Kern Council of Governments - Kern COG

Tehachapi Pass

Press Releases

Kern Transportation Foundation Hosting Luncheon May 16th with CEO of CHSRA, Roelof van Ark as Keynote Speaker. [Click Here for more info] RSVP by May 12th, 2011.

New Funding will extend HSR constuction towards Bakersfield. [Click Here for more info] - December 20, 2010 - CAHSRA Press Release

CHSRA Recognises Kern's Potential for the Heavy Maintenance Facility. [PDF] - October 12, 2010

Kern County on "Fast Track" Toward High-Speed Rail Heavy Maintenance Facility. [PDF] - October 11, 2010 Kern County announces joint efforts, including Paramount Farms' contribution of land, to bring the Heavy Maintenance Facility to Kern County.

CHSRA Progress Report - April Summary Progress Status Report. [PDF]

Alternatives outlined for key segments of high-speed rail.- Public helps shape San Francisco-San Jose, Fresno-Merced project. [PDF]

Bakersfield Public Information Meeting:Aug 19, 2010 Rabobank Theatre - Workshop Posters. [PDF]

High Speed Rail Coming to Kern County

As early as 2012 construction will begin on the Bakersfield to Fresno section of the HSR. Bakersfield is one of only three cities in the Central Valley that will have stations. Kern COG has participated in all of the public workshops held by the HSR Authority across the County. The City of Bakersfield is working with the Authority on the design of the downtown station which will be adjacent to the new Mill Creek projects. This will result in a major revitalization of downtown Bakersfield. Kern COG has also submitted two proposals to site the Heavy Maintenance Facility in Kern County.

Below are some general statistics about HSR from the HSR Authority website www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.

HSR Facts and Information

Fresno to Bakersfield Preliminary Alternatives Analysis (Presentation) [June 2010] 2.3 Mb

Fresno to Bakersfield Preliminary Alternatives Analysis (Briefing and Summary) [May 2010] 1.1 Mb

HSR Business Plan Factsheet [December 2009] 96 Kb

HSR Central Valley Key Findings [September 2008] 71 Kb

Central Valley HSR Factsheet [July 2008] 498 Kb

Listening For The High Speed Rail -

A conceptualization of how the high speed rail could sound compared to freight rail

Route	Distance	CO2 Saved	Time	Cost
Bakersfield to Los Angeles	142 miles	106 lbs	54 mins	$28.00
Bakersfield to San Francisco	284 miles	213 lbs	1 hr 51 mins	$43.00
Los Angeles to San Francisco	432 miles	324 lbs	2 hrs 38 mins	$55.00

Heavy Maintenance Facility Proposed for Kern County

The California High Speed Rail Authority released a Request for Expression of Interest to site a Heavy Maintenance Facility in the Central Valley. Kern COG submitted two proposals. One to be located in Shafter just north of the ITTC and 7th Standard Rd. The other located on the east side of Wasco below Highway 46. There were 15 proposals submitted. The Authority plans to select only one in the Fall of 2011. Construction will begin as early as 2012.

The HMF is projected to employ 1,500 employees, as well as bring new business to local companies. Kern COG is working with local jurisdictions, elected officials, and other stakeholders to promote Kern as the ideal location to site the HMF. The proposed sites are within 8 miles of the center of the statewide HSR system. Kern COG recently added a High Speed Rail section to the Kern COG website. The website will be updated with information related to the proposed HMF sites, the Fresno to Bakersfield and Bakersfield to Palmdale HSR sections, the Bakersfield HSR Station, and notices of any future public meetings.

HSR alignments have not been decided and are subject to change.

Bakersfield High Speed Rail Alignments [December 2009] 3.0 Mb

High Speed Rail Alignments at Bakersfield Station

Visit the California High Speed Rail Authority:

CHSRA Press Releases