California Voters Narrowly Approve $10 Billons for High-Speed Rail System
By R. Brown, Web Exclusive Posted Nov. 16, 2008
Californian voters narrowly approved funding for a multi-billion dollar high-speed rail transportation project. 52.3% of Californian voters approved proposition 1A that will sell $10 billion in bonds for the construction of an electric-powered bullet train system that will run from San Diego, through Los Angeles, to San Francisco, and with an arm running from Fresno to Sacramento.
Proponents of the rail proposal argue it will boost economic growth through the creation of 450,000 jobs and promotion of convenient and economic access between Californian cities. According to the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), the 432-mile travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles will only take the 220 mph train only 2 hours and 38 minutes while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and saving transportation cost in the process.
Judge Quentin L. Kopp, Chairman of the California Rail Authority, in a statement said, “This effort will improve our once-matchless transportation systems in California by delivering a high-speed train system that will cost two to three times less than expanding freeways and airports to accommodate millions of new Californians by 2030. A reliable 220-mile-per-hour electric high-speed train system will reduce our dependence on foreign oil by more than 12 million barrels per year and reduce greenhouse gases that cause global warming by 12.7 billion pounds annually. In short, we seek to reduce traffic congestion, protect our environment and give energy and life to our economy to the tune of 450,000 new jobs.”
The proposal calls for $9 billion to be used in the construction of the new rail system and another $ 950 million to be used in the maintenance of existing rail infrastructure. The measure calls for extra investment from the private and other public sectors as CHSRA, back in 2006, estimated a project cost of $45 billion. The business plan of the project was released November 7th.
For more, visit the CHSRA website: http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/
Photo courtesy of CHSRA