DeCamillo describes station Options

California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) representatives held a community meeting on August 21 outlining proposed improvements to the Fullerton Transportation Center and the LA to Anaheim HSR segment. Tyler Bonstead, Project Manager for the LA to Anaheim segment, led a walking tour of proposed changes to the Fullerton train station. Mr. Bonstead and LaDonna DiCamillo, Southern California Regional Director at the California High-Speed Authority, presented a community workshop on the project’s status.

A major question among residents is “Will there be a High-Speed Rail station for boarding in Fullerton?” Mr. Bonstead said a Fullerton HSR station is currently possible but not a “preferred” option for reasons of cost, efficiency, and impact on the area.

Fullerton passengers could still hop Metrolink for the 7-minute ride to Anaheim’s “ARTIC” station (or the 40-minute ride to LA) and transfer to High-Speed Rail. Whether or not Fullerton gets a High-Speed Rail boarding stop, track upgrades still require major improvements to the Fullerton Transportation Center.

The changes are triggered by the addition of a fourth track between Fullerton and LA and the electrification and modification of two of the tracks. (Fullerton currently has three tracks) The two electrified tracks to the south will be passenger-only, shared between High-Speed Rail, Metrolink, and regional Amtrak trains. The two north-side tracks will be reserved only for freight trains and interstate Amtrak. No longer will a train have to wait outside Fullerton until the tracks are clear. A passenger boarding island for Amtrak and Metrolink will be added between the new passenger tracks. The current overhead pedestrian bridge will be eliminated and replaced with underground tunnels with ramps to the boarding island, similar to those at LA’s Union Station. The one-story ramp means that train-goers will no longer have to choose between climbing three flights of stairs and waiting for the elevator (although an elevator will be available). The ramp entrances will be next to the current station and on the east side of Harbor Boulevard.

The island and added track will eliminate the small 28-car parking lot currently on the south side. It will also affect Walnut Avenue.

During the Q&A, an audience member was concerned about noise from 200 mph trains whooshing through Fullerton neighborhoods. Mr. Bonstead said the train speeds will not increase in populated areas. The 79 mph passenger train speed limit will stay in place, so the noise should not increase. Additionally, he projected that there would be only two High-Speed trains per hour in each direction scheduled.

Another audience member, who frequently rode Metrolink, was concerned about the danger of trespassers being hit by trains on the tracks. He pointed out that it now occurs periodically. Mr. Bonstead said that the added undercrossings planned (as opposed to a gated crossing) should make it harder for people to get onto the tracks, and fencing will also be added.

A third audience member asked why we are switching to electric trains in Southern California, where power lines have increased the danger of igniting trees and bushes. Mr. Bonstead said that High-Speed Rail can not be achieved with Diesel/Electric locomotive technology. HSR requires lightweight trains with power supplied along the track rather than having a heavy diesel engine supply electricity to the driving motor. Additionally, he noted that the electricity “hook-ins” to the track (and accompanying off-track high-voltage lines) are spaced 30 miles apart. They have redundancy built in, so if one region experiences a power outage, the electricity source can be switched to another hook-up 30 miles away, and High-Speed Rail service will continue.

An attendee also inquired whether defunding threats from the federal government might jeopardize this project. Ms. DiCamillo stated that only 23% of the project’s funding depends on federal dollars, and the Authority is in discussions with the Administration regarding federal funds. Also, Ms. DiCamillo said that the project will proceed in phases. Mr. Bonstead noted that most of the changes are similar to those proposed by Metrolink, so the two agencies will benefit from each other’s improvements.

Another required change affecting Fullerton is the addition of a track crossover tunnel, which will switch the passenger tracks to the north side and the freight lines to the south side. This tunnel will be built between Gilbert and Dale Street.

Mr. Bonstead said no disruption of Metrolink or Amtrak services is expected during the construction.

The timeline calls for the completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Report by November 2025, which will include community outreach. The final report will be released in the Summer of 2026. A board meeting will follow in the Fall of 2026.

If Fullerton does get a High-Speed Rail stop, it will be a new station and platform because the passenger entry heights are different. The new HSR station would be located west of Harbor, on the south side of the tracks, directly across from the existing parking garage. The HSR passenger loading platforms would extend further west over Highland Avenue. The HSR station would also feature its own 570-space parking garage, with an entrance directly from Harbor, located southwest of the current train underpass.

The final decision on whether Fullerton will receive its own High-Speed Rail stop is expected to be known by summer 2026, when the official “Draft and Intent” document is completed and plans are finalized, according to Ms. DiCamillo.