Mojave, Rosamond studied for high-speed rail facility

Could employ 300 to 500

BY BILL DEAVER

EAST KERN - Mojave and Rosamond are among eight locations being considered as sites for a maintenance facility for the high-speed rail passenger system that would link southern and northern California.

Tehachapi is also among the communities listed as potential locations for the facility, which would perform heavy maintenance for the system's locomotives and cars. The shops could employ from 300 to 500, according to Ron Brummett, executive director of the Kern Council of Governments (KernCOG).

The rail system would compete with airlines for moving people rapidly between the state's major population centers and would be based on successful systems that have been operating for decades in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Major facility

Brummett said the facility would perform heavy maintenance for the entire rail system, which would eventually run from San Diego to Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area through the San Joaquin Valley. Future lines could be built to San Bernardino.

Brummett said Modesto and Fresno are also being studied as possible locations for the facility.

"We want to have it in Kern County," Brummett said, adding that the Kern Transportation Foundation mailed copies of a report on the maintenance facility to chambers of commerce, cities, lawmakers, and other hoping to develop support for building it in the county.

"We're geographically in the center of the system," Brummett noted.

Other sites in Kern County considered for the shops include Arvin, Southeast Bakersfield, a site on Comanche Road and Highway 58 east of Bakersfield, Shafter/Wasco, and Delano/McFarlane.

Line decision

Key factor in considering the three East Kern communities is a decision on which route the line takes between Bakersfield and Los Angeles. The California High Speed Rail Authority, which is developing plans for the system, favors a line over the Ridge Route along Interstate 5.

East Kern and Antelope Valley communities want the line to take a slightly longer route over Tehachapi Pass and into the desert. Although the line would add a few minutes to the trip, it would require fewer tunnels and would serve a larger population base. One station, at Lancaster or Palmdale, would serve the region. Travel times on the line, which would probably be powered by electricity from overhead catenary, would be comparable to airlines without the security hassle.

On-line facility

Brummett said the maintenance facilty must be located within a mile or two of the high-speed rail line, which would put it west of Mojave and Rosamond. Although track between the main line and the facility would not have to be built to high-speed rail standards, it would be equipped with overhead catenary to supply power.

"It has to be 'near' - and I won't define 'near,' so they don't have to build too much track," Brummett said.

Noting that a matrix in the report rates the Mojave site lower than some of the others in the county - despite having the county's only existing railroad equipment maintenance facilty, Progress Rail at Mojave Airport - Brummett said the scores are all quite close.

"They finally just changed the focus and just said all eight sites are good - let's just put it in Kern County," he said.

Ballot measure

A ballot measure asking voters to approve a $10 billion bond to build the first section of the line has been placed on the November, 2004, general election ballot, Brummett said. But some proponents are suggesting that it be delayed one or two years until the state's financial situation improves. Proponents hope to obtain some funding from the federal government.

Bonds would be paid back from revenues generated from fares paid by passengers as has been the case in Europe, where high-speed system have been able to recoup their construction costs.

Brummett said the High Speed Rail Authority's environmental documents are being reviewed by the Federal Railroad Administration. Once that is completed, expected early this year, proponents could begin campaigning for the bond, unless a decision is made to delay the vote, which will take legislative action.

MORE NEWS IN ROSAMOND CA - CLICK HERE

HOMES FOR SALE IN ROSAMOND CALIFORNIA - CLICK HERE