Despite being balked by various speed bumps along the way, California’s bullet train project has stayed, relatively, on track after voters approved the project in 2008. According to Capitol Weekly, the $45 billion project has created controversy and criticism but is still generally considered as a boost for California’s economy. With continued federal funding and decisions on routes, the bullet train is expected to succeed.
The first leg of the new high speed rail is set to be built along 123 miles
of track between Fresno and Bakersfield. Ultimately, there will be about
800 miles of line connecting the Bay Area to Anaheim, though the remaining
layout is currently the topic of much debate. According to the High Speed
Rail Authority (HSRA), other possible routes include San Jose to Bakersfield,
Merced to Palmdale, and Merced to the San Diego Valley. The first major
line will travel from Transbay Terminal in San Francisco to Union Station
in Los Angeles. The high speed rail would allow Amtrak trains to increase
their speeds on the new track from 79 mph to 125 mph.
Construction on the new bullet train line is expected to begin in September
2012 and to finish by 2017. Preliminary bidding for the construction project
is set for September 8 of this year. The completed high speed railway
will be operational in 2020. It will allow for a travel time of 2 hours
and 40 minutes between San Francisco and Los Angeles and, as it will be
electrically powered, it will decrease pollution. Specifics, such as fares,
have not yet been determined.
As exciting as this new project may be, officials must be sure to set appropriate safety regulations and protocols to protect the passengers of this new bullet train. All mass transit vehicles must consider the safety of its passengers of the utmost importance. This includes performing timely maintenance and safety inspections, as well as hiring properly trained operators. All it takes in one missed repair or one inexperienced operator to slip through the cracks to put mass transit passengers in danger of injury or death.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a mass transit accident in the Bay Area, whether by bus, train, or plane, the experienced San Jose mass transit accident attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates have the knowledge and resources to hold negligent parties accountable for your losses. To learn more about your legal rights, call us today for a free case review at (800) 900-0863.