Meeting to Discuss Altamont Corridor Rail Routes

Residents will have an opportunity Thursday to review two proposed routes through town as part of a planned high-speed rail system intended to connect Stockton and San Jose via the Altamont Corridor.

A route being considered runs adjacent and parallel to the Union Pacific Railroad corridor, and includes aerial and underground options. In addition, the route would place stations in the downtowns of Livermore and Pleasanton.

Livermore city officials are looking at the project with an "open mind," said Bob Vinn, assistant city engineer.

However, the proposed aerial option through downtown Livermore may pose a problem.

Residents in previous public meetings discussing a proposed raised concerns over visual impacts associated with any aerial structures that would be built downtown.

"I don't think that's going to change,"  he said.

Another option that will be discussed Thursday is to run the rail system south of Livermore, primarily underground and along the power transmission tower corridor, officials said. A station for this route would be set near Vasco Road, just north of the .

The route would continue toward the southern border of Pleasanton and connect at a station where Interstate 680 and State Route 84 meet.

officials are concerned about this route because it would run through .

"The park is a wildlife sanctuary for people to enjoy," said John Lawrence, the park district's assistant general manager. "A high-speed rail certainly cuts down on the enjoyment with the noise coming by."

California High-Speed Rail Authority officials are looking to gather public comment on the alternatives at Thursday's meeting.

The project is still in the early stages and officials want to narrow down possible routes so they can move forward with an environmental impact report.

Officials first brought the project to the public in November 2009 to introduce and gather comments on the rail system. They plan to unveil station designs and hold public workshops next winter.

A draft environmental impact report is expected to be completed in June 2012. Officials then would hold additional public meetings to review the report.

Thursday's meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the .

For more information on the Altamont Corridor Rail Project, click here.