California high-speed rail dealt blow by Newsom's about-face

[Xithras]

9. Proposition 1A created $10 billion for high speed rail.

The rail authority has already redefined "high speed rail" more than once and has pretty bluntly stated that "high speed" means whatever they say it means, and that the limitations of the original bond measure do not apply. The argument could easily be made that a sub 5 hour trip on a 90-100MPH conventional system qualifies.

You could build one hell of a Tehachapi crossing for $10 billion. I'm pretty sure there'd be enough left over to add some new express rolling stock as well, and some high speed sidings in some sections to eliminate the conflicts with freight trains entirely.

It's a hell of a lot better than building a redundant rail line connecting Madera to Bakersfield, which is the current plan.