ANAHEIM – The state’s High Speed Rail Authority board on Thursday approved a new business plan for the bullet train route with one notable amendment – adding Anaheim back on as the route’s southern terminus.

Anaheim Councilwoman Kris Murray testified before the rail authority in Sacramento advocating for the trains to travel all the way to Anaheim. After the meeting, she said she’s thrilled to see Anaheim back in the project’s initial phase, although the Los Angeles-to-Anaheim leg of the journey might not be at top speed.

“It’s great news for us that Anaheim is back in the plan as a one-ticket ride all the way from San Francisco,” Murray said. “It’s great news that the rail authority recognized the importance not only Anaheim but the Orange County region.

Since it was publicized last week that the initial phase of high-speed rail would run from San Francisco to Los Angeles, stopping short of Anaheim to save on costs, the rail authority was flooded with calls and letters asking that Anaheim be put back in the first phase.

A letter from Lucy Dunn at the Orange County Business Council seemed to make a strong impact with the Rail Authority board, which voted unanimously to put Anaheim back in the plan, Murray said.

The rail agency had been looking at ways to cut the cost of the project, which had soared to $100 billion at one point. The current plan, detailed in a 212-page document, is estimated to cost about $68 billion, and could whisk passengers on the 520-mile route at up to 220 mph.

Murray said decisions about “electrifying” the L.A. to Anaheim segment of the line – needed for the train to run at full speed — will be made at a later date. But the plan, as drafted, would allow passengers to travel from San Francisco all the way to Anaheim with one ticket – and without having to change trains in Los Angeles’ Union Station, she said.

In a statement, the rail authority said: “The business plan was adopted with an amendment committing the authority to work with transportation agencies in Orange County to identify cost-effective ways to enable a one-seat ride to and from Anaheim. As part of the amendment, the Southern California Passenger Rail Planning Coalition will consider options for a connection that will cost less and be less intrusive than a full-build connection enabling the one-seat ride to Anaheim.”

Assemblyman Jose Solorio, a Democrat whose district includes Anaheim, praised the revision.

“I appreciate that Chairman Richard listened to our concerns, and found a cost-effective way to get high-speed rail to Anaheim,” Solorio said.

The state Legislature is expected to review the plan in coming months and decide whether to move forward. Much of the project has yet to be funded.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or ecarpenter@ocregister.com