Diridon Station rebuild project could move faster under proposed CEQA exemption

A NEW STATE BILL could cut a year off the redevelopment of Diridon Station in San Jose by exempting it from California’s landmark environmental law — and the state lawmaker at the forefront of the effort is determined to keep it on track.

Senate Bill 1375, introduced by state Sen. Dave Cortese, whose district covers San Jose and much of Santa Clara County, would exempt certain rail station hub modernization projects from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The bill would streamline the review process and shorten the construction timeline for the project.