CA's High Speed Rail Hampered By Controversy

In November, 2008, California voters approved a $9.95 billion bond measure to connect LA and San Francisco with 220 mph high speed rail. While the project is proceeding, the state's budget crisis and local opposition in some regions have given pause to many who question whether the train will, or should be built. In fact, a possible 'poison pill' was inserted into the yet-to-be signed budget, currently over $26 billion in the red.

"Environmental activists in Palo Alto are complaining about the impact (of HSR) on their city and, somewhat mysteriously, language appeared in still-pending revisions to the 2009-10 state budget that makes allocation of $139 million in high-speed rail planning funds contingent on "alternative alignments" being considered. Advocates of the Pacheco Pass route consider that to be a poison pill and will try to get it removed before a final budget is enacted, if that ever occurs."