California high-speed rail receives environmental clearance into Bakersfield

Rail News Home High-Speed Rail 11/11/2019 Rail News: High-Speed Rail
CHSRA received approval of its environmental impact study for a 23-mile high-speed rail route between Shafter and Bakersfield, California.Photo – CHSRA

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) last week completed California state’s environmental review process for its high-speed rail route between Fresno and Bakersfield.

The authority received a supplemental record of decision and federal approval of its supplemental environmental impact study that evaluates the environmental effects of a 23-mile route between Shafter and Bakersfield in the Central Valley.

This is the first major environmental action taken for California's high-speed rail project under the state’s federal National Environmental Protection Act assignment.

In 2020, CHRSA will release six remaining draft environmental documents for public comment to keep the authority on track to complete environmental clearance on its full 520-mile project which runs from San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim, CHRSA officials said in press release.