The weighty Program Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement is available for study. Of local interest may be these aspects of the proposed preferred plan:
- Los Angeles Union Station to Fullerton: construction of an at grade 4th track
- Trains to travel at speeds up to 90 mph
- Increasing traffic volume:
2005 Volume 2020 Forecast Volume Los Angeles - Fullerton 22 Amtrak 32 Amtrak 28 Metrolink 42 Metrolink 45 BNSF 98 BNSF Fullerton - Orange 22 Amtrak 32 Amtrak 19 Metrolink 48 Metrolink 7 BNSF 12 BNSF
The report states in its introduction that "Southern California's exisiting transportation network is currently operating at or near its design capacity, which results in congestion. Building additional capacity is both expensive and increasingly problematic. This condition results in highway and railroad travel delays, has a negative on the region's economy, and can result in environmental impacts and the reduction of the quality of life for all. Improvements to the Los Angeles / San Diego rail corridor would help meet the Southern California regions's transportation demands of today, as well as help address the expected increase in intercity travel demind rising out of the growth in population over the next 20 years and beyond."
