tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11021719.post1004012085131207241..comments2024-03-01T02:02:02.520-08:00Comments on VTA Watch: Throwing more good money after badaccountablevtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14035365902584938185noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11021719.post-10163623539398515422009-11-07T17:28:04.601-08:002009-11-07T17:28:04.601-08:00The old SP no longer exists through most of Pleasa...The old SP no longer exists through most of Pleasanton and Livermore. The parts through downtown Livermore and Pleasanton are relatively narrow. Plus through Fremont there is only one route that also owned by UP.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11021719.post-21228853778143907012009-11-06T00:01:22.743-08:002009-11-06T00:01:22.743-08:00Not necessarily. There are two rail routes through...Not necessarily. There are two rail routes through the Altamont Pass, one is UP, and the other one is owned by Alameda County, which was formerly SP, although that corridor is not 100% complete. The part between Niles and Sunsol is used for a historic railway.<br /><br />Anyway, HSR for Altamont Pass would probably not use either right of way as it requires straighter tracks for high speed operation. Pacheco Pass would also require new tracks between Gilroy and Merced. In either case both are equal.accountablevtahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14035365902584938185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11021719.post-53406639010451275982009-11-05T22:46:18.966-08:002009-11-05T22:46:18.966-08:00I don't think anybody is playing with a full d...I don't think anybody is playing with a full deck:<br /><br />UP OWNS THE ALTAMONT PASS ROUTE: NEWARK-LIVERMORE-TRACY-MANTECA BELONGS TO THE SAME OUTFIT. THEY HAVE THE BAY AREA BY THE CAJONES.<br /><br />How would anyone with beyond a 3rd grade education not understand that you are screwed wherever you leave public property and venture onto UP's property. There is no Caltrain Metro East, Altamont Pass HSR, or "Super ACE" without them. Sorry those are just facts. In a parallel universe they are having the same argument about Pacheco. You work with them ($$) or around them ($$$) or with BNSF ($) if you are lucky. Put away the markers and smell the Omaha.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11021719.post-44977463363357419192009-11-05T12:22:54.527-08:002009-11-05T12:22:54.527-08:00I believe Caltrain actually has the money for the ...I believe Caltrain actually has the money for the Santa Clara station, and they even started some preliminary work, before putting the project on hold pending a decision on the high speed rail alignment. Which is unfortunate, because High Speed Rail isn't coming for at least another few years, and there's some chance it won't be built at all, while the Santa Clara and San Jose stations are major operational problems right now. And if the VTA really wants to throw money at Caltrain, I would suggest building some grade separations, extending the quad track section, or building a new station between Lawrence and Santa Clara. If they really want to improve operations south of Diridon, they can build extra platforms at Tamien, Capitol, and Blossom Hill (and improving access to the latter two stations might help ridership too).crzwdjkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06394805356595604336noreply@blogger.com