Assemblyman Gordon Makes Statement About Assembly’s Approval of High-Speed Rail Bond Expenditures

“Evaluating our current transportation infrastructure and accounting for the population growth in the next three decades reveals the dire need for transportation planning and investment throughout out state.

After long consideration, I voted in favor of Phase I of the state’s high speed rail system.  This first phase does build towards a statewide high speed rail system, but it can be thought of as a series of investments in our state rail system - an initial operating segment in the Central Valley, an upgrade for the commuter rail service in the Los Angeles area, the electrification of Caltrain on the corridor between San Jose and San Francisco, and a series of smaller investments (of connectivity funds) in transit systems across California.

I believe that it will be decades before full high speed rail will be built in California, and I remain concerned about future funding availability.  However, there is utility in each of these investments, investments that begin to build towards the dream of high speed rail.

The electrification of Caltrain has been a regional goal for over a decade.  Now is our opportunity to bring that goal to reality.  The future of Caltrain is very much dependent on achieving this goal, as an electrified Caltrain will be able to operate with better service and less environmental impact.

I have heard from many constituents both for and against the project.  Like many, I had myriad concerns about an infrastructure project of this magnitude along the densely populated area of the Peninsula.  For these reasons, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Senator Joe Simitian, and I put forth a proposal for a “blended system” – described as High-Speed Rail “done right”.  We have fought for assurances from the High Speed Rail Authority that the rail project will reflect this blended approach, and the bill passed today includes such protections.

I believe that, compared to the once proposed elevated, dedicated 4-track proposal, this current proposal should be viewed as victory for our Peninsula communities.

Additionally, I firmly believe that every environmental law must be followed in planning and implementing a project of this magnitude – including the electrification of Caltrain and all rail projects associated with high speed rail.  I did not, and will not, vote for a CEQA exemption for high speed rail.”



Assemblyman Rich Gordon represents the 21st Assembly District on the San Francisco Peninsula in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, which includes the communities of San Carlos, Redwood City, Atherton, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Woodside, Portola Valley, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, and the Almaden Valley of San Jose.

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