Criticized as the “train to nowhere,” California’s plan for an astronomically costly high-speed rail system will now see a Burbank to Palmdale segment pushed ahead, in a case of politics trumping practicality. The addition comes as officials seek to garner much-needed support for the rail line with rising costs now at an estimated $68 billion.
Long term plans to connect San Francisco to San Diego have been frustrated, as legal and funding challenges are just the start of problems associated with the line. Even Democrats who publicly support the project have reportedly voiced quiet concern over the delayed benefits to their regions. Hence the new segment, which will slow the train down but speed up political support.
According to the Los Angeles Times, High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Jeff Morales wrote a letter in June to state Senator Fran Pavley that outlined a new rail line building strategy. The Times reported, “Morales said his agency’s board of directors would be requested to formally adopt the revised approach once the Legislature agreed to allocate a portion of greenhouse gas fees to the bullet train.” Senate Democrats reportedly required “more immediate benefits for commuters and quicker reduction in greenhouse gases,” which they claim an L.A. segment would provide.
Senator Kevin de Leon (D), who represents part of L.A. and was recently elected to replace Darrell Steinberg as president of the State Senate, has long pushed for the Los Angeles segment construction to be accelerated.
In 2008 California voters approved a $9 billion dollar bond for the train. Another $3.2 billion has been provided in the form of grants from the Obama administration, the Times recalls. The Times adds: “Last month, as part of a new state budget, the Legislature provided about $250 million this fiscal year for the project from fees that companies pay for producing greenhouse gases, as well as 25% of future income from the levy.”
Still, these funding sources do not put much of a dent in the $68 billion current estimated cost that has grown exponentially since original cost estimates.
In a January 2013 ABC 7 News article, rail authority CEO Jeff Morales addressed the issue of land acquisition for the line. Morales was quoted as saying, “we don’t need everything in place for July.” He also commented that they would shortly begin the process of acquiring land to get the project “shovel ready.”
Yet in light of all the troubles surrounding California high-speed rail plans, Californians continue to ask whether this “train to nowhere” will ever be “shovel-ready.”
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