CHSRA to release draft EIR for Burbank-to-LA section

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) tomorrow will release the draft environmental impact report for its 14-mile high-speed rail project section between Burbank and Los Angeles for public review and comment.

The draft environmental impact report/environmental impact statement (EIR/EIS) evaluates the impacts and benefits of CHSRA’s plan to realign existing rail tracks in the corridor to allow for two additional tracks.

The plan would feature two electrified tracks for high-speed rail that can be shared with Metrolink and Amtrak, and two non-electrified tracks for Metrolink, Amtrak and freight traffic.

Adding high-speed rail tracks enhances the shared urban rail corridor by improving safety and operations for passenger-rail and freight-rail services, CHSRA officials said in a press release. 

The project section will connect Burbank Airport Station and Los Angeles Union Station, providing links with regional and local mass transit services as well as connectivity to airports and the highway networks in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles Basin, authority officials said. 

CHSRA will host an online community open house and hearing for the public to submit oral and written comments. The draft will be available for review from May 29 through July 16.

A final EIR/EIS document for the section will be issued in 2021 and presented to the CHSRA board to consider certification and project approval.