Can't wait to see HSR in Palo Alto! From initial reports, even sounds like the NIMBYs around here might be happy, as looks like they might be running trains at grade level in most places and just expanding to four tracks.

From the Report:

"Once these corridor-wide alternatives are developed, they will be described on an engineering, environmental and cost basis. These corridor-wide alternatives can then become the basis for
discussion of cost sharing between the Authority, FRA and other agencies including cities on the corridor."

Translation: The least costly alternative will be chosen and, for Palo Alto, it will be elevated, for HSR, although without a berm. CalTrain will continue at grade. There will be grade separation between CalTrain and automobiles, which will go through underpasses. Any additional costs to accomplish this configuration wil be shared by the City of Palo Alto.

Question: How many $ millions will it cost Palo Alto, since the berm (Berlin Wall) has been eliminated? How will we pay for it?

California has a horrible deficit. Let's put billions of dollars into high speed rail. Let's wreck neighborhoods...and when finally complete, let's see how much cheaper it will be than flying. How many people will really use it that often? Does anyone on the Authority live in the path they want it to take?

The best part is that someone can hop on in LA, hop off in Palo Alto, commit a crime and catch the next train back home.

I'm sure a majority of voters had no idea what they were really voting for. Now that we really know what is at stake, how about a revote?