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Tuesday, Feb. 02, 2010

Our View: High-speed rail is gaining momentum

Funding elements are beginning to fall into place for state's project through the Valley.

High-speed rail, once called a "Buck Rogers" idea by a California governor, is finally gaining momentum in the Golden State.

Most of the naysayers have gone silent, and the main question now is how to put together the billions of dollars it will take to build the system that will run through the heart of California.

Valley voters gave the state a big boost when they passed a $9 billion bond measure, and now President Barack Obama is pushing high-speed rail. The federal government just handed out $8 billion in grants, and California got the biggest share: $2.25 billion.

High-speed rail has widespread support in the San Joaquin Valley, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was in Fresno on Friday promoting the project.

The governor said high-speed rail would make travel easier for the state's residents, create much-needed jobs and result in cleaner air because of fewer cars on the state's freeways.

We have appreciated Schwarzenegger's support of high-speed rail. His predecessor, Gray Davis, didn't think it was feasible and complained that the project was a "Buck Rogers thing."

Welcome to the 21st century. This project is real and it will be built. Groundbreaking for a segment of the California line could come as soon as next year. In addition, Merced County is making a pitch for the maintenance facility for the entire system at Castle Commerce Center in Atwater.

What is being called the "heavy maintenance facility" will employ 1,500 people, including rolling stock maintenance staff, train operators, central control supervisors, systemwide engineers and other staff. That's why Fresno, Bakersfield, Coalinga and Madera are also offering plans.

The entire project will be one big economic development project, as well as improving the state's transportation system, which is approaching gridlock. Europe and Japan have figured this out many years ago.

But even getting selected for a station on the rail line will be a big boost for Merced. In the Valley, the only stations initially will be in Bakersfield, Fresno and Merced. Modesto and Sacramento will have to wait for the rail to extend to them.

In addition to the state bond money, the federal high-speed rail grant will be seed money for the project's first phase from Anaheim to San Francisco, which will come up through the Valley.

That phase is estimated to cost about $43 billion. Local funds and private investments are expected to augment the funding already committed. There's also the likelihood of more federal money in the future for the project.

High-speed rail is on its way to being a part of the nation's transportation alternatives. We must do all we can to get it built as soon as possible.

Editorials are the opinion of the Merced Sun-Star editorial board. Members of the editorial board include Publisher Debra Kuykendall, Executive Editor Mike Tharp, Editorial Page Editor Keith Jones, Copy Desk Chief Jesse Chenault and Online Editor Brandon Bowers.