Competing High Speed Rail Projects

Local LA-region maglev proposal is capturing interest at the expense of $25-billion Sacramento to San Diego line.

1 minute read

June 10, 2000, 12:53 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


The long-planned, $25-billion, 700-mile, state high-speed rail line that could get passengers from downtown Los Angeles to downtown San Francisco in 2.5 hours is recognized by many business leaders and politicians as a huge boon to the economy. Developed by the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the plan faces a huge price tag and legal and environmental hurdles, however. Meanwhile, a local $4 billion, 70-mile magnetic levitation (maglev) route between LA, San Gabriel, Ontario, and Riverside, is the brainchild of the Southern California Association of Governments. The local rail plan, which would be a federal demonstration project and the world's first maglev passenger train, is garnering support at the expense of the state proposal.

Thanks to Chris Steins

Saturday, June 10, 2000 in The Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

6 hours ago - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

7 hours ago - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing