Why has our state leadership suddenly abandoned both high speed
rail in favor of a massive road building frenzy, all with no public
input?
Editor,
Why has our state leadership suddenly abandoned both high speed rail in favor of a massive road building frenzy, all with no public input?
As a citizen, Californian resident and member of Californians for High Speed Rail (a statewide coalition of high speed rail supporters), I share a sense of alarm and outrage with many that the proposed high speed rail system to be included in “the State’s $37.5 billion public works bond proposal is at serious risk of being derailed.” (San Jose Mercury News, Jan. 26, 2006)
Recently, I have come across a groundswell of people who are realizing that our leadership is seriously considering abandoning the high speed rail system and other forms of public transportation in favor of more traffic congestion, pollution and sprawl.
High speed rail works around the world (Japan, Europe, Korea etc.), and California risks falling behind in our transportation infrastructure if we delay any longer. Even Mexico is ahead of us, moving ahead to build a high speed rail line within the next 10 years.
By abandoning high speed rail now for the next 10 to 20 years, state leaders are dooming the state and a fast growing population to a terrible quality of life. For people who care about this state, recycled plans of the past are completely unacceptable; we need solutions for today and tomorrow. It is need for our leaders to lead and move this state into the 21st Century.
Daniel Krause,
Executive Director of Californians for High Speed Rail
