The California High-Speed Rail Authority is asking the public what it should study as it reconsiders the route the San José-to-Merced line would take from southeast of Gilroy through the Diablo Range, according to a notice the City of Gilroy posted Oct. 28.
In 2022 the authority approved an alignment from San José to Merced County that included 15.1 miles of tunnels through the Diablo Range. The authority now cites less reliable federal funding and rising infrastructure costs, and is considering other ways to build that stretch, including several new possible routes. The new review, a supplemental environmental impact report, covers the segment from southeast of Gilroy to a point northeast of Los Banos.
Scoping meetings are where the public can say what that report should examine. Two are in person, each 5:30 to 7 p.m. with an open house and a chance to comment: Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Casa de Fruta, 10021 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister, and Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Los Banos Community Center, 645 Seventh St. A virtual meeting runs 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9. Registration is required through the link on the city’s notice.
Written comments are due Nov. 13. They can be emailed to gilroy_wye@hsr.ca.gov with the subject line "G-Y Project Segment HSR Scoping Comment," or mailed to Stefan Galvez-Abadia, Director of Environmental Services, California High-Speed Rail Authority, 770 L Street, Suite 620, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Project details and email sign-ups are at hsr.ca.gov/GY. Requests for accommodations or language services must be made at least 72 hours before a meeting by calling (916) 324-1541, or 711 for California Relay Service.
Source: City of Gilroy: California High-Speed Rail Notice of Preparation of Public Scoping Meetings
