High-speed rail "scoping" meetings this week

See how easy it is? What's the problem?

The Community Coalition on High-Speed Rail sends this message:

[The notice below doesn't include tonight's San Francisco meeting:

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Monday, May 23, 2016

UCSF Mission Bay

1500 Owens St.

San Francisco, CA 95158]

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is holding "scoping meetings" tomorrow, Tuesday, May 24th, and Wednesday, May 25th. 

Here are the meeting details:

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

San Mateo Marriott

1770 South Amphlett Boulevard

San Mateo, CA 94402

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

SFV Lodge

361 Villa Street

Mountain View, CA 94041

If you think traffic congestion on the Peninsula is a nightmare now, get ready for traffic that will be ten times worse:

The High-Speed Rail Authority is planning for up to twenty (20) trains per hour on the Caltrain Right of Way (High-Speed trains on top of Caltrain service). Without Quiet Zones, that is a lot of horn blowing!

There are forty-seven (47) at-grade intersections between San Francisco and San Jose, and traffic will be blocked at virtually every one of them.

With a train passing every three (3) minutes and crossing gates coming down, total traffic paralysis will ensue. When asked about this problem, the Authority says, "We're studying it!"

Union Pacific has not agreed to permit High-Speed Trains in the Caltrain corridor, and Union Pacific has the right to demand additional right of way to install concrete intrusion barriers to separate freight and passenger traffic. That could mean a doubling of the width of the rail corridor and the need for massive condemnation of business and residential properties on the Peninsula.

The scheduled "scoping meetings" are supposed to let the public highlight areas of concern. Come to the San Mateo Marriott tomorrow evening, or to the SFV Lodge on Wednesday to let the High-Speed Rail Authority know what you think! A presentation by the Authority scheduled at 6:00 o'clock each evening.

Rob's comment:

On Union Pacific's right of way on the Peninsula, see this and this.