The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) announced on January 14, 2016 that they have entered into a station-area funding agreement with the City of Burbank to begin the planning process to develop a world class multimodal transportation hub. This would incorporate the proposed high-speed rail station, the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC), Amtrak and Metrolink Stations, bus services, ride share, and active transportation all adjacent to the Burbank Bob Hope Airport. The funding agreement allows the City of Burbank and the Authority to begin studying ways to enhance multimodal connections between the station, the San Fernando Valley, and the region while at the same time reducing traffic, greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the economy by providing more transportation options and better connections.
“The San Fernando Valley is long overdue for a major infrastructure investment of this magnitude,” said Southern California Regional Director Michelle Boehm. “This agreement creates a unique regional planning opportunity that will help facilitate development of a world class transportation hub, increase the quality and types of transportation choices available to residents and visitors to the San Fernando Valley, and makes significant progress in bringing high-speed rail to the region.”
As part of this agreement, the City of Burbank will receive $800,000 in funding to explore options and seek public input for station-area design and development. The money will support planning efforts focused on both the integration of the high-speed rail station into the region and the analysis of opportunities to promote economic development and sustainable community strategies.
“We’re thrilled to work with the City of Burbank, and other regional partners, to develop a multimodal transportation hub and high-speed rail station that will help significantly cut down the travel time between the San Fernando Valley and the broader Los Angeles County region and open up increased economic opportunities for residents and more travel choices for visitors. At the end of the day, it’s all about access,” said Melissa DuMond, the Authority’s Director of Planning and Integration.
The Authority provides station-area funds through a combination of federal and state funds to help partner cities conduct planning efforts and develop conceptual designs to provide connections between high-speed rail station areas and the communities that surround them. Other partner cities that have entered into similar agreements include Merced, Fresno, Bakersfield, Gilroy and Palmdale.
(Source: CHSRA)
