HIGH SPEED RAIL: BUILD IT SMART High Speed Rail is coming to San Diego. We have ONE CHANCE to BUILD IT SMART environmentally and economically
Current plans route the train down I-15 from Escondido, then turn into Rose Canyon off Miramar Rd. along the north side of the existing tracks all the way to downtown. They have also presented a vague concept for a 180' deep tunnel under UTC, homes and businesses that would come out in Rose Canyon near Regents Rd. and runalong the tracks to downtown. BUT
THEIR OWN STUDIES say a straight route down I-15 to Qualcomm Stadium will have more riders, is faster and cheaper, has
less noise impact, and avoids the sensitive environmental site of Rose Canyon
Park. Speak up now to demand a full study of alternate routes
HSR has many positives for the state and the environment, as long as they Build it Smart. We have one chance to do it right, so let's be sure we do!
High
Speed Rail will devastate Rose Canyon Park and UC neighborhoods
Vigorous discussion on the Daily Kos Blog about HSR in general and San Diego in particular: good overview of different viewpoints. Join in! (04Feb10)
New routes proposed at HSRA meeting (NCTimes, 5 Feb 10). At the Board meeting of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) in San Diego 2/4/10, new routes were proposed including the Rte 56 corridor and Rte 163 corridor.
You can find a copy of the presentation about the San Diego to Los Angeles section (PDF)
CA Legislative Analyst strongly criticizes the HSR Authority business plan (PDF of review here), pointing out deficiencies in the response to threats, and failure to address risks of reduced ridership, credit failures, market risk, or government funding risk.
Past News
Letters of Support:
Letter of support from Lori Saldana, CA Assemblymember from the 76th District
Letter of support from Donna Frye and Sherri Lightner, San Diego City Council
Letter from John Lee Evans, School Board member, to California HSR authority (PDF)
News
San Diego News Network (10Jan10): Several San Diego neighborhood activists and elected officials say they oppose plans to build a high-speed rail route capable of handling trains designed to travel at speeds of more than 220 mph through Rose Canyon Open Space Park.
News update :(SDNN, 14Nov09) At the urging of the public and City Council members, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has agreed to also study the option of sending the high-speed train along I-15 to Qualcomm stadium, skipping University City
LA Times (13Nov09): Local rail and commuter rail projects were removed from California's application for stimulus funding in order to put all the eggs in the HSR basket. That means shovel-ready projects to improve Amtrak, Metrolink, and Coaster service in this heavily used rail corridor were not able to apply for money.
By Mail Mr.
Dan Leavitt, Deputy Director
ATTN: HST Project EIR/EIS
California High-Speed Rail Authority
925 L Street, Suite 1425, Sacramento, CA 95814
Resources
for high speed rail
How do we calculate 134 trains a day? Using the HSR business plan, they calculate 46 trains one way during the peak hours: 7-8 trains per hour EACH WAY from 6-9am and 4-7pm. (See forecast here, full report here; PDFs). Add those 92 trains to the 42 expected off peak, and you get 134.
