Maybe we should start looking into whether a RICO indictment is applicable to this open theft of public monies.

For the initial and ongoing cost of this ridiculous boondoggle, we could enact and sustain a European-style single-payer health care system for every citizen of California.

The price doubles and the politicians are ready to sell us the new business plan. Why aren't the first looking into the old business plan and figuring out where all the money went and why the cost has doubled? This whole thing is just priceless example of how screwed up this whole politician-union-consultant-contractor boondoggle is.

And when I look at the plans, the blended system still has the majority of the four track bypass lanes in Mountain View and Sunnyvale. Isn't it just strange how Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Atherton some how walk away with just two tracks? Money talks, while we get the shaft. No wonder this is being held in Mountain View.

Let's go with open trench rail lines through the cities.
The space above can be used for new construction and park space.

I don't think this HSR will get built, just like the Bay Area and the rest of the country, we don't build much. The Airports keeping growing, planes are getting bigger. Look on a Map it will show you how bad the Higway system is. 580 is the only freeway to I-5 or you can use the Highway to Los Banos which shold be turned into a freeway. The interstate that goes into Barstow should be built right to 101. Second Bay Bridge should be build, 85 needs to be built to Fremont. A freeway from the 101 to the Dumbarton Bridge should be built, so does a highway from 680 to Dumbarton Bridge. Plans for a 4th Airport are needed or turn Moffett Field into SJC. BART needs to take over Caltrain, a Ferry Network must be placed in the Bay Area. I-5 needs to widen, 99 will be turned in a Interstate highway. Which idea should be built, which one will be able to move the most amount of people and the cost

Penny wise and pound foolish. Do you love cars so much that an expensive high speed rail, even if noisy and disruptive a few times a day, doesn't make obvious sense on all fronts?
* Reduce pollution
* Free us from oil-rich despotic and totalitarian regimes
* Connect cities and create biz opportunities and value for in-between suburbs and exurbs
* Give time to work and contemplate while traveling.

Also, my humble opinion? Trenches are the way to go: cheaper, less intrusive, more aesthetic, noise reducing.

I like the idea of an trench, it could be open in some places, buildings can be built over the tracks. Lightwight building could be placed to create rental income for the HSR. Stations with offices and retail could be built. The cose will have to be looked at, the walls of the trench could be deigned to lessen the sounds of passing trains.

Every HSR operation worldwide is losing money. This project enriches a tiny few at the expense of the many. The only people promoting it are the ones who will make money off of it, bleeding the taxpayer dry.

People prefer to fly: it's cheaper and faster, worldwide.

The thing that is disturbing here is the nention of MTC and CalTrans and CalTrain in the same sentience. I hope everyone realizes that the 4 track option is alive and well just three tracks and CalTrain has said that all of Mountain View is 3 tracks. It also is very disturbing that a former BART executive does not see the merits of the safety conscience BART fulfilling its 5 county destiny. What we will do is use the vast funds of the Gas Tax through the MTC creating the foundation where the CAHSRA gets the tracks built for them by CalTrain electrifying. This skirts the EIR and is illegal as it is simply and upgrade.

If we do not stop this, what we will get is all at-grade as it exists now, higher frequency of electric trains running at high speeds to the tune of 8 to 12 minute frequency. Grid lock will occur at all the at-grade intersections. The local streets will fill up with cars that use their GPS to find local alternatives. That means Central to Stierlin to Shoreline over the tracks. Get ready for this. If CalTrain gets their way, the CAHSRA gets their "bookend" in the north up the CalTrain corridor and no EIR needed. It is illegal.

It is time for a referendum on Prop 1A. It is time to stop this insanity.

The tracks absolutely must be trenched. We have enough fatalities as it is. I would hate to be a CalTrain engineer.