California High-Speed Rail Authority Releases Draft Environmental Document for Los Angeles to Anaheim Section

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has released the draft environmental document for a 30-mile segment in Southern California that clears the way to build from San Francisco to Anaheim. This initiates the final step toward full environmental clearance for Phase 1 of the full 494-mile statewide system. The draft environmental document will be available for public review and comment beginning December 5 and ending on February 3, 2026.

The Authority has released the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) document for the 30-mile segment between Los Angeles and Anaheim in Southern California. The Authority is making this Draft EIR/EIS available in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The comment period begins on December 5, 2025, and ends on February 3, 2026.

The Los Angeles to Anaheim project section is the southernmost link of the first phase of the statewide high-speed rail system, connecting Los Angeles Union Station to the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, using the Los Angeles to Anaheim rail corridor that currently serves both freight and passenger service. The corridor travels through the cities of Los Angeles, Vernon, Commerce, Bell, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, portions of unincorporated LA County, La Mirada, Buena Park, Fullerton, and Anaheim.

The Draft EIR/EIS evaluates a No Project Alternative and two Build Alternatives: Shared Passenger Track Alternative A, with a Light Maintenance Facility (LMF) at 26th Street and Shared Passenger Track Alternative B, with an LMF at 15th Street. The Authority’s Preferred Alternative is Shared Passenger Track Alternative A. Although not included in the Preferred Alternative, the Draft EIR/EIS also evaluates an option for one intermediate high-speed rail station, which would consist of adding a station platform and station facilities at either the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink Station or the Fullerton Metrolink/Amtrak Station. 

The public review and comment period begins on December 5, 2025, and ends on February 3, 2026. Comments must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. PST or postmarked by February 3, 2026. During the comment period, comments may be submitted in the following ways:

By mail to:

Attn: Los Angeles to Anaheim Draft EIR/EIS Comment,
California High-Speed Rail Authority,
355 S Grand Avenue, Suite 2050, Los Angeles, CA 90071

By email to Los.Angeles_Anaheim@hsr.ca.gov with the subject line “Los Angeles to Anaheim Draft EIR/EIS Comment”
Through the Authority’s website: www.hsr.ca.gov
Oral comment on the direct line for the Los Angeles to Anaheim Project Section at:

Oral and written comments at Public Hearings.

Public feedback is important. As part of the public review process, the Authority is hosting a series of meetings to provide information and receive public comment on the Draft EIR/EIS. Please join us for an Open House and/or Public Hearing. All Open House meetings will feature the same information, providing details about the project alternatives and the Draft EIR/EIS.

The Open House will also provide an opportunity to ask questions about the document and the public comment process. All meetings will be conducted in English with Spanish and Korean interpretation and American Sign Language/closed captioning. Meeting venues are ADA compliant for those with disabilities. All requests for reasonable accommodation and/or other language services must be made three working days (72 hours) in advance of the scheduled meeting date by calling 877-669-0494. For TTY/TTD assistance, please call the California Relay Service at 711.

Please note that comments and questions received during the Open House portion of the meetings will not be included in the official public record. The Public Hearing portion of the meetings will include a formal public comment period during which members of the public may provide oral and written comments on the Draft EIR/EIS for inclusion in the official record. 

Above: LA_Rosecrans-Marquardt in 2023 Below: Above LA_Rosecrans-Marquardt in 2024  photos courtesy of High Speed Rail by Scott Waters

High-Speed Rail Progress

Work continues daily on the high-speed rail project, with 171 miles currently under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield. Nearly 80 miles of guideway are complete, along with nearly 60 fully completed major structures, and more than 30 structures underway across Madera, Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties.

The project continues to advance statewide, with 463 miles of the 494-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim system fully environmentally cleared and construction ready.

Since construction began, the project has created nearly 16,400 good-paying jobs—most filled by Central Valley residents. Up to 1,700 workers report to high-speed rail construction sites each day.

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