Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Here are two inter-related pieces from today's SF Examiner:

By Jason Goldman

SAN FRANCISCO -
In what was called a landmark decision, state officials set a course for the proposed high-speed rail that would send a passenger from San Francisco to Los Angeles in just more than 2 hours, with trains cutting through the heart of the Peninsula and South Bay along the way.

The California High Speed Rail Authority elected Wednesday to route the 700-mile transit line through the Pacheco Pass as the primary route for high-speed trains traveling between the San Joaquin Valley and San Francisco.

The crossing, with trains running at top speeds of more than 200 mph, will connect to San Francisco through San Jose and the Peninsula and it is favored because it follows existing Caltrain tracks and avoids cutting through wetland habitats around the Bay.

From San Mateo County's perspective, and Caltrains, having that right-of-way follow the existing route as much as possible would definitely be beneficial to Caltrain and San Mateo County,? San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill said.

Leaders from around the state say the decision will pave the way for voter approval of an approximately $10 billion bond in November to pay for one third of the $30 billion initial phase costs. The total project cost is estimated at $40 billion.

And in a separate article by Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee on long-term trends:

The Federal Aviation Administration's associate administrator for airports staged a news conference in San Francisco in August to warn about congestion and urge local officials to act.

"We expect the number of air passengers to ramp up dramatically in the future," Kirk Shaffer warned, with SFO's traffic increasing by 60 percent by 2025, Oakland International's by 80 percent and San Jose International's by 100 percent.

- Written by Joe

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From the City's e-newsletter:

TRANSPORTATION POLL ONLINE NOW THROUGH JANUARY 9, 2008

Got opinions? The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) wants to hear them. MTC is hosting a Web survey on a variety of issues related to transportation, the environment, and land development in the Bay Area. What actions do you think the Bay Area should take to relieve traffic congestion, focus future development, and improve the region's transportation network? Now is your chance to tell key decision makers your priorities.

The online survey asks participants questions about greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, housing, improving traffic congestion, and planning and transportation funding priorities in the region. Participants also may compare their personal answers with the results of a telephone poll of 1,800 Bay Area residents conducted by MTC.

Click on www.mtc.ca.gov/T2035 to participate in the MTC Web poll now through January 9, 2008. The online survey is available in English, Spanish and Chinese. Don't miss out on your opportunity to help create a shared vision for the region's transportation network that will help protect the environment, preserve our quality of life, and improve mobility over the next 25 years. MTC is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.