But "...extra long and expensive base tunnels with gentle grades..." put smiles on the faces of the consulting engineers and contractors and construction unions.

STill in a related note, which may come under the heading of my imagination, these megaprojects have always historically been motivated by real estate development. It appears, at least anecdotally, that building activity and permits have been dropping in Ca. so maybe common sense instead of blatant greed might return to planning.

Altamont and Tejon-Grapevine are so much superior to what PB has dictated it is just in your face common sense.