High Desert Corridor (HDC) update

Lake Los Angeles – The conversations, public meetings and planning results were first introduced to residents of Lake Los Angeles on July 13, 2013. The meeting was held in the multi-purpose room of Lake Los Angeles School, ‘We’re studying connections’. About 75 residents attended to express their views and ask questions of presenters.

One of the most serious considerations was the impact on wildlife as they would attempt to cross the proposed highway and how night lighting would confuse and interfere with their nocturnal nature. All of these concerns were addressed to the satisfaction of residents

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The HDC has seen so much work, thousands of hours in planning, the EIR study and report and as many changes since that time.

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 HDC took another giant step forward when Supervisor Barger placed a motion on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors agenda for approval which was unanimously approved: Have Los Angeles County join a new High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency (JPA) to identify critical funding and facilitate the continued planning, development, and construction of the High Desert Multipurpose Corridor project – the first phase of which will connect high desert cities in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties through a new high-speed, intercity rail alignment.

“The new High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency maintains our commitment to our federal, state, tribal, and private sector partners and stakeholders, as well as the voters of Los Angeles County who approved this as a priority project under Measure M,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “This is a transformative project for our High Desert communities. Having multiple partners at the table ensures a collective vision is ultimately realized.”

An update will be made available after July 11, 2022, when the North County Transportation Coalition entertains another report at the bi-monthly meeting.

By Shirley Harriman