ARZC Desert Rail Replacement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2021050001
Public Agency
California Department of Transportation, District 7
(DOT)
Document Title
ARZC Desert Rail Replacement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/3/2021
Document Description
Caltrans Rail and Mass Transportation is working with the Arizona and California Railroad (ARZC) to replace 3.8 miles of obsolete 90-pound section rail with 115-pound welded modern rail. The project will also be dropping 800 tons of ballast and surfacing the new rail to ensure proper alignment. This replacement will allow for improved speed limits through the project area by replacing century old rail infrastructure. The project is east of Cadiz, CA in the Mojave Desert on the ARZC’s right of way. No vegetation removal is proposed in the project scope.
Contact Information
Name
Thoa Le
Agency Name
Caltrans District 7
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Cadiz
Railways
ARZC right of way
Other Location Info
Located east of Cadiz, CA in the Mojave Desert
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 CCR 15300, Class 1
Reasons for Exemption
The project will be replacing the existing section rail with modern welded rail. No vegetation removal will be done and proper disposal of the existing ballast is needed. No hazardous materials, biological or cultural resources will be impacted. Therefore the project is replacing and upgrading existing facilities which fits the class 1 category.