Two Routes Suggested For California High-Speed Rail

"Officials planning the route of a statewide high-speed rail system shouldn't have to choose between serving the most Bay Area travelers and the most direct route to Southern California - they should instead build two routes into the Bay Area, regional transportation officials said Friday."

"The Metropolitan Transportation Commission's planning committee voted to recommend that the California High Speed Rail Authority include tracks across both the Altamont and Pacheco passes in its plan for a speedy rail system that could carry passengers between the Bay Area and Southern California in 2-1/2 hours."

"For years, the proposed rail project has been mired in controversy as officials considered whether to send the train through the East Bay or the South Bay. Advocates of the Altamont Pass route, for example, say a route that goes through the Tri-Valley and over the Altamont would have the highest ridership and do the least environmental damage. Pacheco Pass advocates point out the need to connect Silicon Valley to Los Angeles and say their route would be the most direct. A draft environmental report that examines both routes is being discussed at public meetings around the state."