The $4.7 billion high speed rail bond appropriation, signed by Gov. Brown on July 18 included $2 billion for transit upgrades in the Bay Area and Southern CA. Max Taves reports that litigation in the Central Valley could target that funding.
Central Valley and San Francisco peninsula attorneys representing groups that have sued the California High-Speed Rail Authority warn that they are going after the ‘bookend' investments that upgrade local and regional rail lines in southern and northern California.
"The biggest share of the funds approved this month, $700 million, is to go to Caltrain, the rail line connecting 42,000 commuters each weekday from Gilroy and San Jose to San Francisco."
"Kings County, for example, is suing the California High-Speed Rail Authority, claiming the path of the future high-speed line through the Central Valley county would hurt its ability to deliver services and disrupt private farmland. The county alleges misuse of high-speed rail funds and says the legislature is disregarding the intentions of voters, who in 2008 passed Proposition 1A, which approved $10 billion in borrowing by the state to fund construction of high-speed rail."
"Spending money on Caltrain (electrification) 'was really meant to curry favor with San Francisco politicians' to get their support for the larger statewide high-speed rail plan, says lawyer Michael Brady, who filed the suit on behalf of Kings County."
And no mercy was spared on Caltrain by the attorney representing citizens and groups on the Peninsula, even though they would benefit from the faster, quieter, emissions-free transformation from diesel to electricity for the trains serving their neighborhoods.
"Gary Patton, a Santa Cruz-based lawyer representing the Community Coalition on High-Speed Rail, a group of private citizens in Bay Area cities who oppose the rail project, says the coalition has also been closely watching Caltrain's plans to use Prop 1A funds for electrification."
"We're going to do everything we can to stop that," says Mr. Patton.
Contributor's note: Access to entire article may be time-limited for those without Wall Street Journal subscription.
FULL STORY: Long Wait for the Arrival of Transit Upgrades

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service