CHSRA Blocked by
Mountains

09/27/14 Filed in: High-Speed
Rail

The Bakersfield
Californian broke a striking story today about previously
undisclosed problems getting over the Tehachapis.
The serious problems in finding an acceptable
route could result in a dramatic increase in cost.
They could also force a slowing down of the train,
which could result in the statewide project
becoming infeasible because of not meeting the
required 2 hour 40 trip time from SF to LA.

An internal report to the CHSRA disclosed that the
grades of the route over the Tehachapis are so steep
that they exceed the Authority’s standards, making
the route very problematic. The story goes on to say
that the Grapevine route along I-5 might solve these
problems, and at a lower cost.