Caltrain hearing on electrification set for May 1 Caltrain hearing on electrification set for May 1 (April 28, 2004)

Caltrain's long-cherished goal of converting the railroad from diesel locomotives to electric-powered trains will be the subject of a public hearing Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Caltrain headquarters, 1250 San Carlos Ave., in San Carlos.

This will be the fourth public hearing, and the only local one, on the proposed electrification of the railroad from Gilroy to San Francisco. Members of the public can comment on the environmental assessment/draft environmental impact report, which has been prepared for the Caltrain Electrification Project.

While electrification will allow more frequent trains that are quieter and less polluting, it also involves major construction along the line as catenary towers are built to provide power to the trains.

A complete version of the environmental study is available at local libraries and online at www.caltrain.com.

The public may comment at the hearing. Written comments may be submitted through May 25 via e-mail to electrification@caltrain.com, or by regular mail to Caltrain Electrification, 1250 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070.

For more information, visit the Web site, or call 508-6368.

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