The problem here is that railroads don't often maintain rail lines that could serve as possible detour routes in a situation when an important rail line becomes impassable. The west valley line is one primary example.

So, has the Higline been in some cases not well maintained or upgraded in the past although that situation has probably changed in recent years.

Even spur lines like the one that runs between the Cal-P and the Feather River Line in the Del Paso area was one such example could have served as connector rail lines if they had been maintained in complete operating condition.