Caltrain Board Approves Agreement with High Speed Rail Authority

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April 2, 2009

The Caltrain Board today unanimously approved an agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority to establish an initial organizational framework where the authority and Caltrain will engage as partners in planning, design and construction of improvements along the Caltrain corridor that will accommodate and serve both the near-term and long-term needs of high speed rail and Caltrain.

The goal is for the parties to incorporate high speed rail in the Caltrain corridor on a phased basis.

“Community outreach is an extremely important part of this agreement,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage, who is chair of the Caltrain board and also serves on the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. “As we move forward, there will be many opportunities for people to voice their opinions. I would encourage everyone to participate in the process.”

One of the directors acknowledged that the agreement “gives Caltrain a seat at the table and puts a local face on a state project.”

Since the ultimate configuration of the system has yet to be determined, references to a four-track system were deleted from the agreement before it was approved. The agreement states, “the Caltrain corridor will consist of a multiple track, grade-separated high speed rail system.”