Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 - Funding for California-Nevada Maglev ProjectCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 13 May 12, 2009 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: City Manager's Office Homer Bludau, City Manager 949/644 -3000 or hbludau @city.newport- beach.ca.us SUBJECT: Approval of Draft Letter to the U.S. Department Of Transportation Secretary in Support of Funding for the California- Nevada Maglev Project, Which Contains an Origin /Destination Center in Anaheim ISSUE: Does the City Council want the Mayor to send a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in support of funding for the Maglev Project? RECOMMENDATION: Make any changes desired in the letter's wording, authorize the Mayor to sign the letter and send it to the Department of Transportation Secretary. DISCUSSION: Background: One of the City Council priorities for 2009 is: "Minimize the adverse impacts of John Wayne Airport through the implementation of the City's Airport Policy." One of our Airport Policy goals is to work towards finding an efficient and effective means of moving Orange County air passengers to Ontario for the use of its airport, as opposed to their use of John Wayne Airport. The draft letter is written in support of gaining additional Federal money for the Maglev project in order to start work on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the segment of the Maglev project, which connects Anaheim and Ontario. Earlier funding for the project is intended to begin the construction of the segment between Las Vegas and Primm, Nevada. The City of Anaheim is undergoing planning for the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), which would eventually connect Anaheim and Ontario by a 15 minute Maglev ride. Newport Beach is supportive of what Anaheim is trying to accomplish, Letter in Support of Funding for the CaNfomia- Nevada Magtev Project May 12, 2009 Page 2 as it fits into the City's long -range planning strategy for preventing future expansion of John Wayne Airport. Environmental Review: The City Council's approval of this Agenda Item does not require environmental review. Public Notice: This agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the Council considers the item). Submitted by: W,/, 140MER L. En_OnAU City Manager Attachment Letter in Support of Funding for the Califomia- Nevada Maglev Project May 12, 2009 Page 3 May 12, 2009 Mr. Ray LaHood, Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington DC 20590 RE: California- Nevada Interstate Maglev Project Dear Secretary LaHood: The City of Newport Beach would like to take this opportunity to express its support for the California- Nevada Interstate Maglev Project and to ask that the project be designated as a high speed rail corridor and considered for funding as part of the $8 billion Federal Railroad Administration capital assistance program made available under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The City of Newport Beach is supportive of the Commission's efforts to perform pre - construction design, engineering and environmental studies, specifically relating to the Anaheim - Ontario segment of the project. This segment is critical since the maglev corridor will facilitate increased access and usage of Ontario International Airport with a 15 minute ride on the maglev train from the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) directly to Ontario International Airport. With the Los Angeles International Airport and John Wayne Airport both operating at or near capacity, the high speed rail connection between Anaheim and Ontario is essential to relieving airport congestion and heavy congestion on local highways. It is estimated that by 2015 there will be 52 million people traveling along the 1 -15 corridor to be serviced by the California- Nevada Interstate Maglev Project. Existing highways and airports, however, have an annual capacity of only 38 million people, leaving 14 million with no means of travel. Building the California- Nevada Interstate Maglev Project will avoid the need to expand airports and freeways, reduce existing congestion and avoid future congestion while providing far fewer emissions. Considering the amount of growth estimated in Southern California over the next 20 years, the system will play an important role in upgrading the infrastructure capacity of the region. Just last year Congress passed the SAFETEA -LU technical corrections bill that established Anaheim as the western terminus of the California- Nevada Maglev Project. It is worth noting that the ARTIC station in Anaheim will also be the southern terminus for the San Francisco - Anaheim high -speed rail project now being planned by the California High Speed Rail Authority. The City of Newport Beach supports accommodating both systems at a multi -modal station that will also be home to Metrolink, Amtrak, buses, taxis and other modes of transportation. Indeed, ARTIC will be a model for future multi -modal station development as high- speed, intercity, Letter in Support of Funding for the Califomia- Nevada Maglev Project May 12, 2009 Page 4 commuter and highway modes of transportation will all have a common home and we think that is a good thing for Orange County — the fifth most populous county in the nation. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your consideration of the California - Nevada Interstate Maglev Project for federal funding under the ARRA. Sincerely, EDWARD D. SELICH Mayor CC: Mark Yachmetz (FRA: Associate Administrator — Office of Railroad Development) United States Senator Diane Feinstein United States Senator Barbara Boxer United States Senator Harry Reid United States Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez United States Congressman Gary Miller United States Congressman Ed Royce United States Congresswoman Corrine Brown United States Congressman Ken Calvert United States Congressman David Dreier United States Congressman Joe Baca United States Congressman Jerry Lewis United States Congresswoman Shelley Berkley United States Congresswoman Dina Titus f13-6-}a�2_l01 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH OFFICE OF THE MAYOR `� May 12, 2009 Mayor Edward D. Selich Mayor Pro Tem Mr. Ray LaHood, Secretary Keith D. Curry U.S. Department of Transportation Council Members 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Leslie J. Daigle Washington DC 20590 Nancy Gardner Michael F. Henn RE: California- Nevada Interstate Maglev Project Steven Rosansky Don Webb Dear Secretary LaHood: The City of Newport Beach would like to take this opportunity to express its support for the California- Nevada Interstate Maglev Project and to ask that the project be designated as a high speed rail corridor and considered for funding as part of the $8 billion Federal Railroad Administration capital assistance program made available under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The City of Newport Beach is supportive of the Commission's efforts to perform pre - construction design, engineering and environmental studies, specifically relating to the Anaheim - Ontario segment of the project. This segment is critical since the maglev corridor will facilitate increased access and usage of Ontario International Airport with a 15 minute ride on the maglev train from the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) directly to Ontario International Airport. With the Los Angeles International Airport and John Wayne Airport both operating at or near capacity, the high speed rail connection between Anaheim and Ontario is essential to relieving airport congestion and heavy congestion on local highways. It is estimated that by 2015 there will be 52 million people traveling along the I -15 corridor to be serviced by the California- Nevada Interstate Maglev Project. Existing highways and airports, however, have an annual capacity of only 38 million people, leaving 14 million with no means of travel. Building the California- Nevada Interstate Maglev Project will avoid the need to expand, airports and freeways, reduce existing congestion and avoid future congestion while providing far fewer emissions. Considering the amount of growth estimated in Southern California over the next 20 years, the system will play an important role in upgrading the infrastructure capacity of the region. City Hall • 3300 Newport Boulevard • Post Office Box 1768 Newport Beach California 92658 -8915 • www.city.newport- beach.ca.us (949) 644 -3004 Secretary Ray LaHood May 12, 2009 Page 2 Just last year Congress passed the SAFETEA -LU technical corrections bill that established Anaheim as the western terminus of the California- Nevada Maglev Project. It is worth noting that the ARTIC station in Anaheim will also be the southern terminus for the San Francisco - Anaheim high -speed rail project now being planned by the California High Speed Rail Authority. The City of Newport Beach supports accommodating both systems at a multi -modal station that will also be home to Metrolink, Amtrak, buses, taxis and other modes of transportation. Indeed, ARTIC will be a model for future multi -modal station development as high- speed, intercity, commuter and highway modes of transportation will all have a common home and we think that is a good thing for Orange County — the fifth most populous county in the nation. Thank yqu for your attention to this matter and for your consideration of the California - Nev a Interstate Maglev Project for federal funding under the ARRA. EDWARD D. Mayor CC: Mark Yachmetz (FRA: Associate Administrator — Office of Railroad Development) United States Senator Diane Feinstein United States Senator Barbara Boxer United States Senator Harry Reid United States Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez United States Congressman Gary Miller United States Congressman Ed Royce United States Congresswoman Corrine Brown United States Congressman Ken Calvert United States Congressman David Dreier United States Congressman Joe Baca United States Congressman Jerry Lewis United States Congresswoman Shelley Berkley United States Congresswoman Dina Titus