Group's letter to state reveals rift over high-speed rail plan
By Mike Rosenberg, mediaNews
A letter drafted to reflect the solidarity of Peninsula cities worried about the potential harm a proposed California high-speed rail line could inflict on their neighborhoods is instead exposing a widening rift.
The one-page letter was written by the Consortium of Peninsula Rail Cities, an ad hoc group of concerned elected officials representing communities along the Caltrain corridor who fear being silenced during planning of the high-speed train project.
The consortium is urging as many local cities as possible to sign its "mayors' letter," which asks the state to, among other things, consider cutting off the new rail line at San Jose. It also is asking the cities to formally join the consortium by endorsing legal documents that would allow it to negotiate with the rail authority as a unified front.
But some cities in favor of the train have made it clear they want nothing to do with the group, some of whose members have tried to strike down the project.
Other cities that haven't yet staked a position will decide by the end of the month whether to join the consortium or rely on their own resources and Caltrain board representatives in negotiating with the rail authority.
The negotiation process has heated up as the authority accepts comments through April 6 from cities, groups and residents on the San Francisco-to-San Jose segment of the rail line. After that date the authority will launch an extensive environmental planning process.
The consortium's letter asks the authority to consider whisking its bullet trains through the Peninsula via tunnels, below-grade trenches and other nondisruptive options. The letter also requests the authority to evaluate a "hybrid" option in which the high-speed rail line would end at San Jose and become a Caltrain "baby bullet" express line north to San Francisco.
It also argues for more Caltrain commute-time service as part of the local train agency's agreement with the authority to share the track right-of-way.
Backers of the group argue a united front would give cities a major voice in negotiating with the state, which they contend has ignored their concerns. So far, Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Atherton seem poised to sign the letter and lead the group through negotiations. Mountain View and South San Francisco have signaled they appear ready to jump on board.
But opponents such as San Mateo and Redwood City fear being linked with cities such as Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Atherton, whose leaders oppose the train plan. Menlo Park and Atherton have sued the state to stop the rail from going through the Peninsula. "Why would high-speed rail be open to an agreement with two cities that have filed a lawsuit against their ability to do what they're supposed to do?," Redwood City Mayor Rosanne Foust asked.
San Mateo Deputy Mayor John Lee agreed. "I'm not going to go to a group that says, 'I hate high-speed rail,' " he said.
– Written by Fiona
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