NIMBYs Oppose California High Speed Rail
There is a Simpsons episode where every time a new law is proposed, a woman screams hysterically “what about the children!?” The joke is, of course, that she is yelling this about issues that don’t even affect the children. Watching some of the local opposition to the California High Speed Rail project brings this episode to mind.
The high speed rail project which was approved by the state’s voters in November, is being opposed by a number of municipalities in the peninsula region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The city of Palo Alto has now joined Menlo Park and Atherton in actively opposing the project as it currently exists.
Although the Palo Alto city council unanimously endorsed the proposal last fall, they are now coming out against the current plan, following the lead of a group of local NIMBYs who are protesting the train’s route.
The San Jose Mercury News reports:
One possible alignment would put the tracks on a 20-foot-high concrete platform so the trains wouldn’t intersect with cross streets. Residents, inflamed by the prospect of a “Berlin Wall” dividing their neighborhoods, have been packing public meetings on the topic.
On Monday, more than 50 people marched on City Hall ahead of the council meeting, carrying signs with slogans such as “Too close to my school,” “Do it right,” and even “Revote on Prop 1A.” Voicing an increasingly popular sentiment, they chanted, “High-speed rail underground, we don’t want to hear a sound.”
Ironically, these Northern California towns that are opposing the high speed rail plan are comprised of extremely liberal populations. Apparently, their progressive policies are only valid for projects that take place in other people’s backyards.
- Similar Posts:
- There is always a reason to say ‘no,’ CA needs to say ‘yes’ to rail bond
- CA high speed rail takes a small step forward with agency approval of route
- NorCal NIMBYs begin fight against high speed rail line
Comments
One Comment on NIMBYs Oppose California High Speed Rail
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Bud Brewer on
Sat, 12th Jun 2010 8:33 pm
I was just musing,what if they put the high speed rail in a open roofed tunnel from Milbrae (SFO) to San Jose. That way there would be no noise, there would be no level crossings, and the time would be much shorter between the Bay Area and San Jose.
Of course, anyone wanting to get to Sanford or anywhere else on the Peninsula would have to be met by friends in San Jose, or take the current much loved Caltrain. Chuckle.
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