Plans for a statewide system have been in the works for almost a decade, but doubts remain about whether taxpayers will ever want to foot the bill.
"Even people who hate high-speed rail believe it would transform California, much like steam-powered railroads did in the 1860s and freeways did a century later."
However, a ballot measure to provide $10 billion dollars to jump start construction on the estimated $37 billion system has been delayed twice, due to the state's already high borrowing habits and other perceived priorities.
"Worries about taking on more debt or stifling more popular bond measures would doubtless strengthen the hand of high-speed rail opponents, who have an arsenal of other reasons why voters should reject the enterprise. Opponents point to what they call pie-in-the-sky predictions about how popular, how cheap and how beneficial a California bullet train would turn out to be."
FULL STORY: MORE DEBT? NOT SO FAST: High-speed rail on slow track to reality
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
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Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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