California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

Executive SummaryIntroductionGovernment Code Section 14036 requires the California Department ofTransportation (Department) to complete a ten-year rail plan with bothpassenger and freight rail elements, and that the Rail Plan be updated everytwo years. The passenger rail element been prepared by the Division of Railand is covered in Part I (Chapters I through XII). The freight rail element hasbeen prepared by the Division of Transportation Planning, and is covered inPart II (Chapters XIII through XIX).PART IPassenger Rail ElementChapter ICalifornia’s Vision for Intercity Passenger RailTransportation in California is guided by the Governor’s Strategic Growth Plan,the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), the California Transportation Plan(2025), and the Department of Transportation’s Mission/Vision and StrategicGoals.ADMINISTRATION’S STRATEGIC GROWTH PLAN (SGP)California’s rapid population growth continues to put pressure on theState’s ageing infrastructure. To meet the challenges of this growth and itsramifications, the Administration has initiated the Strategic Growth Plan (SGP)that encompasses an infrastructure improvement program for the State’stransportation system, education, housing and waterways. A major sourceof funding in the SGP comes from the $19.9 billion of transportation projectscontained in the Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality and PortSecurity Bond Act (Proposition 1B) approved by the electorate in theNovember 2006 election. A $400 million segment of Proposition 1B isspecifically designated for intercity passenger rail.WARMING SOLUTIONS ACT (AB 32)The SGP is also closely aligned with the Administration’s “Global WarmingSolutions Act” (AB 32, Chapter 488, 2006). This landmark bill requires the State’sgreenhouse gas emissions to be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020.The Department’s strategy to reduce global warming emissions has twoelements. The first is to make transportation systems more efficient throughoperational improvements. The second focuses on the integration ofemission reduction measures into the planning, development, operations andmaintenance of transportation elements.2 Executive Summary California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18