The California High Speed Rail Authority is in the preliminary analytics phase for the high-speed rail route that would extend from Los Angeles to San Diego. Everything is in the very early phase: There is still no money granted for this phase, while an EIR won't be released until 2014. Still, there are meet and greets underway in the San Gabriel Valley, and reporters are cranking out a lot of stories about both the concerns and support on the part of locals for the project. In terms of what's being proposed, there are three options that are being talked about for this area, a rep for the California High Speed Rail Authority explains. The train would leave Union Station, and head East, traveling along the 10 freeway corridor, or the 60 Freeway corridor, or along the Union Pacific right of way (but keep in mind the UP is opposing such a route). On the freeways, the trains could travel on either the north or south side, or along the median via pylons, for example. (In some areas, Metrolink train tracks are present, but this point, sharing the track with Metrolink isn't being considered, so that's an issue that will have to be tackled). The Alhambra City Council heard about proposals last night.
While the California High Speed Rail Authority outlined various proposals for the 10 Freeway at a meeting on Monday, here's how Alhamba reacted, reports the San Marino Tribune: "Alhambra Councilman Luis Ayala made a motion to formally oppose all three Project options in the City of Alhambra, and the Council resolved to begin to formalize a letter to the CHSRA expressing that they will not entertain any of the three options brought forth by [CHSRA's Jose] Martinez."
More from the paper: "Jose Martinez, the presenter and regional manager for the CHSRA tried to appease concerns by outlining the project’s strengths: that the project is one that has the approval of local voters; that state and federal funding will be enough to get the Project off the ground; and that noise pollution could be mitigated.
Asked about the negative press coverage, which feels like it's snowballing, the CHSRA tells us, "we’re not surprised by there are concerns. It's a dense area...At this point, one of these routes could be feasible, but gosh, there could be a whole other analysis that could emerge."
· Residents Oppose High-Speed Railway in Alhambra Monday Night [SMT]
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