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Re: Citylab Deconstructs the Caltrain Mess
Author: synonymouse
Date: 03-01-2017 - 11:54
Caltrain electrification and the TBT tunnel continue to exist in planning because of PBCAHSR. The HSR project was invited into the Peninsula to provide the funding to to carry out the Caltrain improvements and to fend off BART-MTC predation. BART may still pounce if this thing continues to stall.
Moreover it is clear the hold-up on funding the Caltrain electrification contracts is aimed at PBCAHSR, a screwed-up scheme hated in the Valley because it has been skewed to emphasize sprawl and undermine ag.
The worst aspect of PBCAHSR is the Palmdale-Mojave detour. Such a corrupt dumbdown with a terible cost/benefit ratio, very low usage and is not even compatible with freight, so it cannot be sold off to the class ones to replace the antediluvian Loop line.
So IMHO if the test drilling were denied that would indicate the Trump DOT has some inkling of what a scandal Jerry Brown has been cooking up. Not even genuine HSR but a sort of red ink bleeding commute TEE in the boonies. Kopp for once is correct on this one.
Moreover it is clear the hold-up on funding the Caltrain electrification contracts is aimed at PBCAHSR, a screwed-up scheme hated in the Valley because it has been skewed to emphasize sprawl and undermine ag.
The worst aspect of PBCAHSR is the Palmdale-Mojave detour. Such a corrupt dumbdown with a terible cost/benefit ratio, very low usage and is not even compatible with freight, so it cannot be sold off to the class ones to replace the antediluvian Loop line.
So IMHO if the test drilling were denied that would indicate the Trump DOT has some inkling of what a scandal Jerry Brown has been cooking up. Not even genuine HSR but a sort of red ink bleeding commute TEE in the boonies. Kopp for once is correct on this one.
