[dragonsky]

Originally Posted by DESERT DISPATCH

VV to Vegas high-speed train is full steam ahead
Karen Jonas
DESERT DISPATCH
2011-07-13 15:27:54

Updated 7/13 with information from DesertXpress spokeswoman.

A proposed high-speed train that would connect Victorville to Las Vegas — without stopping in Barstow — received final approval on its environmental impact statement from the Federal Railroad Administration Tuesday.

The record of decision from the Federal Railroad Administration brings the project one step closer to beginning construction.

The report shows that the train will start in Victorville and will run along the west side of the Interstate 15 corridor to Lenwood, at which point it would run either on the side or in the median of Interstate 15 through Barstow. The train will then continue about one mile north of Interstate 15 to Yermo and will run on the west side of Interstate 15 most of the way to Mountain Pass. Because of the steep terrain at Mountain Pass, the train will then detour for 1.55 miles through the Mojave National Preserve before continuing along the Interstate 15 corridor through Primm to Las Vegas.

The City of Barstow previously opposed the DesertXpress project because an economic study commissioned by the city estimated it will decrease traffic traveling through the city to Las Vegas by up to 33 percent and the project could result in a combined loss of 2,295 jobs within the city. The city has spent more than $100,000 fighting the train so far by hiring a public relations firm and a law firm.

Some city officials contacted Wednesday seemed to have changed their tune about the train’s effect on Barstow and appeared willing to work with the train’s developer.

City Manager Curt Mitchell, Mayor Joe Gomez, Councilman Willie Hailey and Councilman Tim Saenz all said that the city would attempt to work with DesertXpress to bring jobs to Barstow residents by offering vocational training through Barstow Community College. The training will help Barstow residents get some of the 750 permanent jobs working at DesertXpress in Victorville.

Saenz said there had been talks with DesertXpress to have preferred hiring for residents who go through the program.

Hailey also said the vocational training would be a benefit to residents.

“I think the City of Barstow needs to get on board with DesertXpress,” said Hailey. “We need to take that negative and turn it to a positive.”

Mitchell said the focus for the city now that the project has been approved is minimizing any impact on residents.

“At this point, we’ll see what we can do to minimize those impacts and hopefully create some positive opportunities,” said Mitchell.

Councilman Tim Silva said that he was still concerned about the project after sitting down with the company.

“I’m concerned for the residents in this area,” said Silva. “I just don’t support how it’s going to impact the economy of Barstow.”

The DesertXpress project still needs to get approval for a $4.9 billion federal loan for the project before beginning construction — which it estimates could create up to 50,000 jobs in San Bernardino County. Officials had previously stated that the project could begin construction as early as one year from the time of the approval of the final environmental impact statement.

DesertXpress spokeswoman Lee Haney said in a statement that the record of decision will allow the Federal Railroad Administration to move forward with the loan application for the project.

Read More: http://www.desertdispatch.com/news/s...ain-vegas.html