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Re: Burbank-Palmdale HSR segment????
Author: BOB2
Date: 07-02-2014 - 07:16
This is a political move to assuage the south, and the City of LA. And makes some sense, if you want better LA north county Metrolink services (a worthwhile goal we should be pursuing...). But, have no doubt, Union Station run through is the only project we should be programming, as it would have real benefits for all services using LAUPT, regardless of where the CHSRA fiasco goes in the future.
As usual there is more of the usual blather about electrical needs and routing fill this blog, most of it speculative, much of it nonsense and a non issue, as this would use so little of our total power generation capacity, as to be noticed.
Much of this "new" focus is about fast tracking double track from Burbank to San Fernando, including creating a "four track" footprint (and double tracking the existing Metrolink segment), and fast tracking grade separation projects along San Fernando Road. This is called for in the MOU signed by the CHSRA with the "local agencies" by 2020, and these "locals" are finally holding the feet of the CHSRA to the fire on this "promise".
The enviro's and others have already filed a suit on the use of Carbon fees for this turkey, due to the fact that this law has a little bit of language about cost effective carbon emission reductions for use of these funds (which this project isn't....). It will be interesting to see where that goes.
Redesign of the proposed connecting route via a shorter route from Palmdale to Bakersfield is back on the table, how far this will go, we'll see.
A fundamental rethink and reform of the FRA funding program is needed to assure that the level of planning and design, local consensus, and cost effectiveness have been demonstrated to be eligible for project or segment level funding, as is required for Highway and Transit projects using Federal funds.
As usual there is more of the usual blather about electrical needs and routing fill this blog, most of it speculative, much of it nonsense and a non issue, as this would use so little of our total power generation capacity, as to be noticed.
Much of this "new" focus is about fast tracking double track from Burbank to San Fernando, including creating a "four track" footprint (and double tracking the existing Metrolink segment), and fast tracking grade separation projects along San Fernando Road. This is called for in the MOU signed by the CHSRA with the "local agencies" by 2020, and these "locals" are finally holding the feet of the CHSRA to the fire on this "promise".
The enviro's and others have already filed a suit on the use of Carbon fees for this turkey, due to the fact that this law has a little bit of language about cost effective carbon emission reductions for use of these funds (which this project isn't....). It will be interesting to see where that goes.
Redesign of the proposed connecting route via a shorter route from Palmdale to Bakersfield is back on the table, how far this will go, we'll see.
A fundamental rethink and reform of the FRA funding program is needed to assure that the level of planning and design, local consensus, and cost effectiveness have been demonstrated to be eligible for project or segment level funding, as is required for Highway and Transit projects using Federal funds.
