High-speed rail would benefit from federal dollars, but agencies need to finalize details
By: Katie Worth
Examiner Staff Writer
March 12, 2009
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| Ticket to ride: Some say hashing out specific details about the state’s high-speed rail project will help in courting federal funds. (courtesy rendering) |
SAN FRANCISCO — Presenting a unified front to the secretary of transportation is Bay Area agencies’ best chance at securing some of the $8 billion of federal economic stimulus cash for transit projects, according to many regional transit experts.
But to do that, three counties, a dozen cities and several regional and state transportation agencies will need to agree on the Bay Area’s priorities.
In June, the U.S. Department of Transportation will lay out criteria for how it will distribute funds, and each of the nation’s 11 designated high-speed rail corridors will have the opportunity to qualify.
Since its rail project is the furthest along and has state funding, California has “every right to think we would receive the lion’s share of the funds,” said Rod Diridon Sr., a member of the California High-Speed Rail Authority board.
“But that’s only the case if we’re ready and we’re together,” he said. “So if there’s dissension, in terms of either actual disagreements or hyperbole — which there’s been a tremendous amount of recently — that would retract our ability to receive our full measure of those funds.”
The players involved don’t have to agree on details, but they must come to some basic agreements, like how much money to ask for, priority of projects, how big the train station in downtown San Francisco should be and even the route the line should take, which has been under legal scrutiny.
The alternative — multiple agencies competing for the same funds or presenting wildly variable plans to the Transportation Department — could have serious consequences, project proponents say.
“We are in some absurd fights with each other over how to design the San Francisco portion of the system, and we simply must get over it and present a unified proposal,” said Gabriel Metcalf, executive director of San Francisco Planning and Urban Research, a public policy think tank.
“My years of experience with transportation funding tell me that the more unified the region is, the more likely the project is to receive funding,” he said.
Judge Quentin Kopp, chairman of California High-Speed Rail Authority board, said it’s too soon to tell how important it will be that everyone is on the same page.
“Money tends to flow on the path of least resistance, so we want to make sure we don’t offer resistance,” said Randy Rentschler, manager of legislation and public affairs for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Banking on bucks for transit projects
Bay Area transit leaders say several players with various interests will have to come to a basic agreement if California’s high-speed rail project is to have the best chance at receiving federal funds.
Some of the players:
San Mateo County, San Francisco, Santa Clara County, San Jose, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Caltrain, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority and the California High-Speed Rail Authority
Issues to resolve include:
How much funding to ask for; which projects to prioritize; where the train should stop (downtown San Francisco or current Caltrain depot); size of the Transbay Terminal’s train box; and the train route (currently under legal scrutiny)
Sources: California High-Speed Rail Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, BayRail Alliance
