Article

2010-02-02 Science & Technology

Big Chunk of High Speed Rail Money Goes to California

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Posted by Bobby 2010-02-02 08:15|| || Front Page|| [11134 views ] Top

#1 We already have a train the nobody rides on that runs north-south. What a friggin sink hole of money.

Posted by Cyber Sarge 2010-02-02 08:36|| 2010-02-02 08:36|| Front Page Top

#2 I forgot a little nugget that I learned yesterday. NONE of the public train systems (high speed or otherwise) exists without subsidies. That is to say NONE in the whole world. So even if it is built it will only become another money sucking government entity.

Posted by Cyber Sarge 2010-02-02 08:41|| 2010-02-02 08:41|| Front Page Top

#3 the ballot measure approved the sale of up to $10 billion in bonds to finance the high-speed rail project.

Who's stupid enough to lend CA any more money, esp on a money pit?

Posted by ed 2010-02-02 08:41|| 2010-02-02 08:41|| Front Page Top

#4 But it creates jobs!

Yes they'll only be Union Jobs but that's the only type of jobs The Big 0 cares about.

Posted by BrerRabbit 2010-02-02 09:15|| 2010-02-02 09:15|| Front Page Top

#5 The democrat party is all about scam after scam after scam after scam after scam after scam after scam after scam after scam after scam after scam after scam after fraud.

Posted by newc 2010-02-02 09:33|| 2010-02-02 09:33|| Front Page Top

#6 the initial $10B cost estimate on this is BEFORE engineering and environmental studies

this initial estimate was badly low balled

I expect that after the new studies are completed the cost will be $15-25B. Also, they are going to have to refine the ridership estimates. These now are for 40M to 100M a year (100k to 250k/day). These are way high. Adding the Acela and the regular NE corridor ridership only is about 10M/yr.

Posted by lord garth 2010-02-02 09:49|| 2010-02-02 09:49|| Front Page Top

#7 Another death nail in the artificial California...

Posted by Hammerhead 2010-02-02 09:54|| 2010-02-02 09:54|| Front Page Top

#8 In Boston we couldn't do a 3 mile freeway project for under $15 bn, after all the payoffs to unions and relatives of local politicians. A 520-mile train track will probably need at least $100 million per mile.

Posted by Skunky Angeack7024 2010-02-02 10:30|| 2010-02-02 10:30|| Front Page Top

#9 So... left out of this high speed rail discussion is security.

Let's compare:
Airplane: Airport security and passenger security checks.
High Speed Rail: Station security, passenger security PLUS 520 miles of track security.

Blow the rails, or just park a truck on the tracks and see how many passengers survive the impact and subsequent derailment at 200 mph.

The whole high speed rail idea is stupid in the age of terrorism.

Posted by LeighG 2010-02-02 11:43|| 2010-02-02 11:43|| Front Page Top

#10 If they were serious about high speed rail they would have built it in the 90s when we were flush with money. They would also be talking about building above (or beside) the i-5 and the aquaduct where they wouldn't need the same level of environmental scrutiny and/or right of way purchases.

Posted by rjschwarz 2010-02-02 12:25|| 2010-02-02 12:25|| Front Page Top

#11 Tunneling through all the mountains should be fun.

Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2010-02-02 12:41|| 2010-02-02 12:41|| Front Page Top

#12 This is essentially a full-employment act for the California legal community. I'll be shocked if they ever lay the first mile of track but I won't be at all shocked when the thought that it's about to happen spawns thousands of lawsuits. My friends who are members of the CA Bar thank all of you for your kind contribution of tax dollars to their well being.

Posted by AzCat 2010-02-02 13:28|| 2010-02-02 13:28|| Front Page Top

#13 It will never be built. We will spend years arguing about the environmental impact statement and in the end do nothing.

But the money will be spent. Of that I have no doubt.

Posted by Kelly 2010-02-02 15:00|| 2010-02-02 15:00|| Front Page Top

#14 The apportionment and allocation of Porkulus funds are mainly based on Dem constituencies and districts. More xfer of money from US to THEM.

Posted by A_Rovian_Disciple 2010-02-02 18:05|| 2010-02-02 18:05|| Front Page Top

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