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Re: Light Rail on the Monterey Branch
Author: Carol L. Voss
Date: 09-18-2009 - 16:30
Gary Hunter Wrote:
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> I am going to "should" all over myself in
> regurgitating my own idea of what should/should
> have happened with the one-time Monterey branch.
> The Peninsula JPB passenger operations are
> preparing for eventual extension to Salinas. That
> will make reconnection of the branch to the coast
> line at Castroville (once a wye)a non-issue at
> such time that passenger operations are extended.
> The approach that should be taken is conventional
> rail (with freight at least possible) as far as
> one-time Ft. Ord. There is HUGE park and ride
> potential for the ex-Army fort property. Laguna
> Seca auto racing and the Monterey County Fair
> (relocated?) could be very effectively used to
> mitigate the huge amounts of road-clogging auto
> traffic from these events. From the fort to
> Monterey proper, the line should be developed as
> light rail and go as far as Cannery Row. Foamer's
> note here: Wouldn't be nice to take it all the way
> to Lake Majella once again? Musical events
> (jazz/rock festival?), the fair, and the races
> could all be turned into alternative
> transportation events. I personally believe that
> what Santa Cruz County does with the rail line
> over there could be very much influenced by some
> progressive development of the Monterey branch.
> Since Caltrans/JPB will be operating to Salinas,
> the issue of utilizing the two lines through via
> the Elkhorn Slough trackage to Watsonville should
> not be seen as unlikely. As I understand the
> plans, all or most of the route from San Jose to
> Salinas will be double-tracked in phases. I would
> personally like to see Caltrans/JPB service Santa
> Cruz with their conventional fleet. Some natural
> gas-powered diesels would help with environmental
> issues. Service between Monterey ad Santa Cruz
> would be excellent. I think the NIMBYs of Aptos
> should take a cold, sobering look at the traffic
> congestion along the Hwy 1 corridor between
> Watsonville and Santa Cruz before opening their
> yaps again. Multi millions for highway solutions
> or a few million for track rehab and utilization
> of mostly existing Caltrains equipment?
> OK Carol, I'm exhaling now.
Hey, nothing like dreaming. But reality is reality and a double track through the Elkhorn Slough is right up there with jet propelled pigs on ice in hell-----for starters.
And then we get back to the "who is going to pay for this?" issue.
Sigh.
C.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am going to "should" all over myself in
> regurgitating my own idea of what should/should
> have happened with the one-time Monterey branch.
> The Peninsula JPB passenger operations are
> preparing for eventual extension to Salinas. That
> will make reconnection of the branch to the coast
> line at Castroville (once a wye)a non-issue at
> such time that passenger operations are extended.
> The approach that should be taken is conventional
> rail (with freight at least possible) as far as
> one-time Ft. Ord. There is HUGE park and ride
> potential for the ex-Army fort property. Laguna
> Seca auto racing and the Monterey County Fair
> (relocated?) could be very effectively used to
> mitigate the huge amounts of road-clogging auto
> traffic from these events. From the fort to
> Monterey proper, the line should be developed as
> light rail and go as far as Cannery Row. Foamer's
> note here: Wouldn't be nice to take it all the way
> to Lake Majella once again? Musical events
> (jazz/rock festival?), the fair, and the races
> could all be turned into alternative
> transportation events. I personally believe that
> what Santa Cruz County does with the rail line
> over there could be very much influenced by some
> progressive development of the Monterey branch.
> Since Caltrans/JPB will be operating to Salinas,
> the issue of utilizing the two lines through via
> the Elkhorn Slough trackage to Watsonville should
> not be seen as unlikely. As I understand the
> plans, all or most of the route from San Jose to
> Salinas will be double-tracked in phases. I would
> personally like to see Caltrans/JPB service Santa
> Cruz with their conventional fleet. Some natural
> gas-powered diesels would help with environmental
> issues. Service between Monterey ad Santa Cruz
> would be excellent. I think the NIMBYs of Aptos
> should take a cold, sobering look at the traffic
> congestion along the Hwy 1 corridor between
> Watsonville and Santa Cruz before opening their
> yaps again. Multi millions for highway solutions
> or a few million for track rehab and utilization
> of mostly existing Caltrains equipment?
> OK Carol, I'm exhaling now.
Hey, nothing like dreaming. But reality is reality and a double track through the Elkhorn Slough is right up there with jet propelled pigs on ice in hell-----for starters.
And then we get back to the "who is going to pay for this?" issue.
Sigh.
C.
