Once Gavin realized what he had unleashed in the SOS speech, he backpedaled. But he was actually right. HSR has been going on for what - 13 years now? And what we've gotten out of it is a mile-high pile of studies (that are only now getting close to a point where they might be usable for something), and about 120 miles of ongoing construction (the realigned piece of 99 in Fresno is a very useful bit already!). Given the elapsed time and the obvious problems, it was time for a mid-course review involving outside management anyway, and hopefully a useful alternative will emerge from that. His wording was unfortunate, giving certain people all sorts of opportunities for mischief, but he was right that, as the program stands now, there was no clear way forward once the Valley line is done. If cap & trade is to be the only source of money going forward, given other calls on it, completing the project in the form that it started could take another 100 years.

Then, did you see where a state legislator wants a true express lane (100mph speed limit) added to I-5 in the Valley, as a replacement for HSR? To be paid for from emission reduction funds, of all things? Let the games begin...