High-Speed Rail

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is the State Agency responsible for the planning, design, and construction of the California High-Speed Rail system. Phase 1, will connect the San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles with a travel goal time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. Phase 2, will add an additional 300 miles north of Merced to Sacramento and south of Los Angeles to San Diego. 

The envisioned San Francisco to Los Angeles High-Speed Rail connection will offer users an alternative transportation mode connecting northern and southern California. Additionally, the High-Speed Rail (HSR) will have train stations in Gilroy and San Jose, providing Bay Area residents with an additional local transportation option, further connecting the region, alleviating pressure on local freeways and roads, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Morgan Hill is part of the San Jose to Merced Segment of the CHSRA project. The Final EIR for this Segment Section was adopted by the Authority's Board of Directors in April 2022. The Final EIR includes the CHSRA preferred alternative alignment through Morgan Hill utilizing the existing Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) right-of-way. 

The Final EIR
The California High Speed Rail Authority (Authority) released the Final EIR/EIS on February 25, 2022, for the approximately 90-mile San Jose to Merced Project Section. The Authority’s Board of Directors will consider the final document for certification and Record of Decision (ROD) by the Board on April 20 and 21, 2022. The Final EIR includes an analysis of alternative rail alignments, project impacts, and mitigations to reduce project impacts.  It also includes responses to public comments received on the Draft EIR/EIS and revisions that address the public comments. Approval of the Project Final EIR enables the Authority to advance the project. This includes seeking funding from state and federal sources and advance design, third – party agreements, right-of-way mapping, and appraisals.

Morgan Hill’s Response Letter EIR/EIS San Jose to Merced High Speed Rail project (PDF)