The High Desert Corridor Is Back, and This Time It Includes Bikeways?

Returning from paternity leave, I made a joke promise that if Supervisor Mike Antonovich's office would get behind a transit line for the High Desert Corridor, a proposed new freeway connecting Highway 14 in Los Angeles County to Highway 18 in San Bernardino County, Streetsblog would give a week of exclusive coverage to the area he represents and praise him effusively.

About an hour later I got an email from an acquantince familar with the project warning me, "be careful what you wish for."

Now I know why. While Metro has promoted the project as a "$6 billion dollar," "50 mile 6 lane highway" that will "accomodate an expected three to six fold increase in truck traffic," a series of new meetings for the project are promising two give the project a second look, and perhaps a complete makeover. A list of the meeting times and locations is available at the end of the article.

The High Desert Corridor project team is now considering  a bike path, a green energy production/transmission corridor, and a high-speed rail feeder service connector for the area either as a replacement the project or addition to a smaller highway project. Politicians in San Bernadino have already heard presentations on the changes being studied and Supervisor Antonovich's office confirmed that the environmental impact report will include all of these options both in companion to the freeway and as alternatives.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report is expected to be available for public review late 2013.

High Desert Corridor Project Update Meetings:

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 6-8pm
Lake Los Angeles Elementary School
16310 E Avenue Q
Palmdale, CA 93591

Thursday, December 6, 2012 6-8pm
Stater Bros Stadium
Mavericks Conference Room
12000 Stadium Rd
Adelanto, CA 92301

Monday December 10, 2012 6-8pm*
Endeavor School of Exploration
12403 Ridgecrest Rd
Victorville, CA 92395

Tuesday, December 11, 2012 6-8pm*
Larry Chimbole Cultural Center
Joshua Room
38350 Sierra Hwy
Palmdale, CA 93350