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In reply to the discussion: Work begins on Calif. bullet train, locals angry [View all]Retrograde
(11,369 posts)9. Quentin Kopp's still around?
That explains the early plans and the focus on grand "futuristic" stations over something actual people will use.
The original plans were rather bloated and grandiose: there was a proposal to build an elevated track - essentially a wall - through my town, with a parking structure for several thousand vehicles that would occupy most of the downtown business district. Cooler heads pointed out that for a fraction of the cost they could improve the existing tracks (which have been here for 150 years and still work fine), put in more grade separations so they could run more and faster trains, and get the thing done in a normal human lifetime.
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It is going to be the biggest money pit of all times. I live in Ca. and I've seen projects started
demosincebirth
Oct 2013
#55
This is nothing new for California. The Century Freeway in LA took nearly that long...not really,
libdem4life
Oct 2013
#2
more jobs and better pay at an airport too. I'm in LA so I know of that story
TeamPooka
Oct 2013
#36
You have to force Californians to make improvements and the entire time they
Bluenorthwest
Oct 2013
#12
Ha...but guess who would be the majority of those Bat Out of Hell Drivers off to Sin City
libdem4life
Oct 2013
#15
To listen to the Right Wing it's fine upstanding hubands giving in to temptation...
Spitfire of ATJ
Oct 2013
#34
Hadn't thought of the tourists in Disneyland idea. Was thinking more of the locals.
libdem4life
Oct 2013
#37
Just noticed on the map that the eastern route is Victorville to Vegas..kind of defeats the purpose.
libdem4life
Oct 2013
#40
Basically, they didn't think it was possible to get the rights to go any closer to LA.
jeff47
Oct 2013
#78
Make sense. Few things more depressing than a "giant parking lot in Victorville", however?
libdem4life
Oct 2013
#83
Of course not. That would be half the distance, a third the cost, and be profitable almost
Egalitarian Thug
Oct 2013
#68
Even standard rail was VERY popular. They used to have a "gamblers express"....
Spitfire of ATJ
Oct 2013
#69
Two out of every three dollars that comes into Las Vegas comes through SoCal.
Egalitarian Thug
Oct 2013
#73
There is no high speed rail in America and people want it so OF COURSE they can't have it...
Spitfire of ATJ
Oct 2013
#74
It's interesting comparing the contrasting corruptions of SF/LA/California and Las Vegas/Nevada.
Egalitarian Thug
Oct 2013
#91
Frankly, I'm surprised they didn't chart the course between Vegas and Palm Springs.
Spitfire of ATJ
Oct 2013
#87
It's hilarious when teabaggers say all the wealthy people will leave California
Mr.Bill
Oct 2013
#22
In that part of the state the biggest risk would be terrorist cows on the track.
LeftyMom
Oct 2013
#57
Anything would be better than what we have now even if it is a little slow in the cities.
JDPriestly
Oct 2013
#58