California to spend $5.5 billion building a high speed train that goes nowhere

[^_^ 5,021]

Up here in the NYC metro area, our trains go inside actual cities! This sounds like a massive waste of money.

California is moving quickly to take advantage of the extra millions coming its way from the federal government after Wisconsin and Ohio spurned high-speed rail projects. The state’s High-Speed Rail Authority voted unanimously to match the $616 million coming from Washington, giving the state $5.5 billion for initial construction and allowing it to extend the first segment farther toward – if not into – Bakersfield.

Earlier this month the authority, working with just over $4 billion, had decided to start the massive project with a 65-mile segment from Borden, 20 miles north of Fresno, to Corcoran, 45 miles south of Fresno. That left out Bakersfield, the big city at the south end of the Central Valley, and prompted the local Congressman to call the project a “high-speed train to nowhere.”

With the new funds, the authority was able to wriggle out of that charge, although it remained a bit coy about the precise route for the first segment. The authority said in its press release that “depending on which alignment is ultimately selected – a decision that will not be made until all applicable environmental work is done – the initial section may stretch nearly 120 miles from near Madera to the northernmost part of Bakersfield.” The Bakersfield Californian reported the segment would “come into the Bakersfield metropolitan area, but not cross the Bakersfield city limit because there isn’t enough money to go into the city proper.”

http://www.earthtechling.com/2010/12/california-slips-high-speed-rail-616m/

[Obama 2012 1,714]

California: Doing Everything To Steal Your Tax Dollars $1 Billion At A Time!

[The_Dude 1,142]

I don't know how widespread it is beyond where I work and my circle of friends, but I know quite a few people who have moved quite a distance outside of L.A. to buy homes, mostly to Valencia or that area. At least California isn't doing what texas and a few other states like it and condemn federal spending on projects, then secretly take the money.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I don't know how widespread it is beyond where I work and my circle of friends, but I know quite a few people who have moved quite a distance outside of L.A. to buy homes, mostly to Valencia or that area. At least California isn't doing what texas and a few other states like it and condemn federal spending on projects, then secretly take the money.

There's a difference in a governor denying the funds and a state house/senate overriding him and blatently taking every dollar that you can get...

[^_^ 5,021]

I don't know how widespread it is beyond where I work and my circle of friends, but I know quite a few people who have moved quite a distance outside of L.A. to buy homes, mostly to Valencia or that area.

That trend exist in most high-cost metropolitan areas. Now I'm not familiar with Cali, so correct me if I'm wrong, but this sounds like a route that starts and ends outside of a major city. That's no way to build a train line if you intend for it to be used. Terminuses need to be where people live.

Edited December 22, 2010 by \

[mawilson 2,133]

Terminuses need to be where people live.

Termini

[^_^ 5,021]

Termini

I struggled with that for about 5 seconds and then figured no one would know any better

eta: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terminuses ... both are correct?

Edited December 22, 2010 by \

[The_Dude 1,142]

That trend exist in most high-cost metropolitan areas. Now I'm not familiar with Cali, so correct me if I'm wrong, but this sounds like a route that starts and ends outside of a major city. That's no way to build a train line if you intend for it to be used. Terminuses need to be where people live.

I don't know the outlying areas that well, but I don't think they are really that populated to justify a line, based solely on merit. The ultimate goal is a high speed rail line from san francisco to l.a.. Unfortunately, the cost of such a line is prohibitive and it seems like they are doing this in increments, when funds are available.

[^_^ 5,021]

... the cost of such a line is prohibitive and it seems like they are doing this in increments, when funds are available.

By starting in the middle???

That's like building the first portion of the NYC to Washington DC train between Aberdeen MD and Swedesboro NJ. Let's make sure it's as useless as possible because surely that will make further funding more likely!

Edited December 22, 2010 by \

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Termini

Is that like Lexuses?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

california-to-spend-55-billion-building-a-high-speed-train-that-goes-nowhere

Yes, but Californians will get there faster!

[The_Dude 1,142]

By starting in the middle???

That's like building the first portion of the NYC to Washington DC train between Aberdeen MD and Swedesboro NJ. Let's make sure it's as useless as possible because surely that will make further funding more likely!

It would appear that is the least expensive section. Sorry, but $600m isn't going to buy much real estate in los angeles and you can only assert imminent domain so much.

[^_^ 5,021]

Yes, but Californians will get there faster!

You're a Californian. What are your thoughts on the proposed route (Borden CA to the northernmost part of Bakersfield)? Useful?

It would appear that is the least expensive section. Sorry, but $600m isn't going to buy much real estate in los angeles and you can only assert imminent domain so much.

And what is the usefulness of this route, in your opinion? This routes success (or lack of) will determine whether future funds are forthcoming.

Let me ask it this way - if this Borden to not-quite-Bakersfield route was the only route that ever happened, would you look back at the 5+ billion USD as money well spent?

[The_Dude 1,142]

You're a Californian. What are your thoughts on the proposed route (Borden CA to the northernmost part of Bakersfield)? Useful?

And what is the usefulness of this route, in your opinion? This routes success (or lack of) will determine whether future funds are forthcoming.

Let me ask it this way - if this Borden to not-quite-Bakersfield route was the only route that ever happened, would you look back at the 5+ billion USD as money well spent?

No, it would be a waste. Seriously, anything north of Valencia in California is just wasted land really.

[^_^ 5,021]

Not a fan of the bay area, I presume?