I have been a community member of the High Speed Rail working group (CWG) for the past almost 5 years. During that time, the project has gone from a potential overhead and separate rail line to a complete at-grade rail line on the existing Union Pacific line. This is the railroad track that goes through the middle of town.
I know that we have all been hoping and assuming that this is not going to come to pass; however, one should never assume. As we all know, the past two years are an example of what I never could have imagined would have happened—pandemic, cold war,etc.
The accepted plan by the HSR Environmental Impact Report (EIR), indicates in Morgan Hill, there will be only at-grade crossings other than at Cochrane Road. An at-grade crossing means that it will be like it is now but with the addition of the high speed train traveling at 110 mph through Morgan Hill. There will only be Quad Gates similar to the current arms but larger, for the limited crossings that will be available: Live Oak, Tilton, Main, Dunne, San Pedro and Tennant. The idea of a train going through Morgan Hill at 110 mph and getting stuck in your car within the barricades due to traffic is not far-fetched.
Additionally, more horns and more wheel vibration noise are noted as significant “unmitigated” issues. Unmitigated means that they are issues that have been identified but no effort has been made to resolve those issues.
As we know, the overall project cost is significant and many of us think that it will not come to pass due to that. However, we are in an area that could best be characterized as the “low hanging fruit.” The San Jose to Gilroy stretch is pretty straight and reasonably inexpensive to build, particularly because there are no main overpassess and all the tracks are at grade and follow the existing right of way. There are no expensive acquisitions. As we have seen in the Central Valley, if there is any amount of funding, it will be built regardless of final connections.
Many of us have chosen to just say “No.” That is not helpful. Instead, we need to come out in force as a community and require that additional grade separations be required to ensure community safety.
Alternative 4 (at grade) is the accepted alternative because it is the cheapest alternative. Please realize that those parameters for Alternative 4 are the only ones that we may have some minor ability to change or mitigate. There is no point in suggesting it go along 101—that ship has sailed.
I encourage you to review the final EIR on the HSR website. It is accepted, so that is what will be constructed: https://hsr.ca.gov. On the front page of the site is the link to the San Jose to Merced Final EIR/EIS. As you peruse the document, section 3 will lead you to the appendices and then review only Alternative 4.
The City of Morgan Hill wrote a letter to the HSR agency in October of 2021 clearly identifying the areas of concern and requesting that three more grade separations must be constructed at Tilton, East Dunne and Tennant.
A comment period for the overall Business Plan that includes the final EIR will end at 5pm Apr 11. Cost drives everything and the community needs to speak up and clearly identify the need for unhindered access across the tracks either above or below for emergency vehicles and movement of traffic. See potential comment below.
“I am a member of the Morgan Hill community and have grave concerns regarding the safety of our community. The HSR will travel through our town at a rate of speed of 110 mph, essentially bisecting the community with no access from one side to another. Fire, public safety and medical emergencies will be impacted. I respectively request the addition of three additional grade separations at Tilton, East Dunne and Tennant to mitigate this clear danger.”
Comments on the Draft 2022 Business Plan can be submitted at this link: https://tinyurl.com/m9ayrkcc.
There is a form on the page where you can submit comments on the Draft 2022 Business Plan by scrolling down.
You can also send your comments the following ways:
– To this email address: Dr*********@hs*.gov
– By attending the virtual meeting on March 17: https://hsr.ca.gov/about/board-of-directors/schedule/
– By US Mail:
California High-Speed Rail Authority
Attn: Draft 2022 Business Plan
770 L Street, Suite 1180
Sacramento, CA 95814
Lesley Miles
Morgan Hill
