Congressional Transportation Committee Debates CA High Speed Rail

The stage moved to D.C. from Sacramento for the latest debate on the pros and cons of California's embattled HSR plan. The more vocal detractors from the Central Valley and Peninsula testified before the few members of the committee who attended.

2 minute read

December 18, 2011, 7:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


The chair of the committee did not mince his words

"The California project appears to be a disaster," said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "The project seems to be imploding".

Yet the four-hour meeting was largely presided by Central Valley Republican Congressman Jeff Denham, perhaps because only four of the 59-member-committee chose to attend. For the most part, it was a partisan show, not unlike the debates in Sacramento. The Republicans major reservation will undoubtedly be repeated - that "the public shouldn't subsidize an unproven project in which the private sector has not yet invested."

[The HSRA maintains that the private sector will invest after they see the trains in operation].

"We'd love to support it," said Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Atwater, but "my concern is, where's the (other) money going to come from?"

To date, the CA High Speed Rail Authority has secured $3.4 billion for its project - but the well will be dry next year due to Republican House skepticism on Obama's entire HSR program.

From SF Chronicle: California high-speed rail plan panned, praised. The hearing was not entirely partisan, as Democrats have their concerns as well. " Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Norwalk (Los Angeles County), said her urban constituents need money for mass transit, not pricey intercity trains.

On the Peninsula, where Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, had strongly opposed an early plan to plow new rail lines through neighborhoods, Dan Richard, Gov. Jerry Brown's appointee to the California High-Speed Rail Authority board said the rail authority has accepted suggestions to use existing Caltrain rights of way. " [See Caltrain: Blended System Concept aka 'blended rail'].

Friday, December 16, 2011 in The Sacramento Bee - Transportation

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 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight