If there was demand, and an aviation capacity shortage issue between the Bay Area and Sou Cal, then this might make more sense. But, this is not where the demand is. There is no aviation capacity shortage, there is real Freeway congestion in other viable HSIPR eligible corridors.

The CHSRA's entire planning prior to Brown or the Federal Funds was predicated on this non existent airspace/airport capacity deficiency. It was a premise that may have appeared to have some merit back in the mid nineties, the data tells us that it is pure nonsense, now.

The real intercity and HSR passenger demands and significant deficiencies are in connecting our mid/short distance large cities and accessing our major urban centers. So bypassing things like Merced, Corcoran, Hanford, or not connecting through an Altamont Gateway, now seem completely stupid.

There may be some significant intercity demands in the future that may merit the French proposals. The Spanish had some similar ideas, but also found working with the dysfunctional CHSRA of PB, Arnold, and Kopp to be almost impossible.

There are some ongoing and serious attempts to change the directions at the CHSRA, but they are stuck with the stupid hands they were dealt, and must now work to save and move the monies they have, through the State Senate's slight of hand (see previous post). Plan B is alive and well, though.

As to this "ancien" French TGV offer..... (at least 4 years old?) So what? It's only a story now, because the Times has some cat boxes it has to line.