The San Diego Union-Tribune is at it again with yet another editorial that misconstrues the facts about high-speed rail.

Last weekend’s “High-speed rail project: Dead train walking?” (Aug. 30) is the latest example of the U-T grasping at straws, provided by the same, small handful of litigants that have been working since 2008 to deprive California voters of the high-speed rail system they voted for.

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While the U-T would have you believe this group is on a crusade to uphold the law, the simple fact is that it is made up of well-heeled individuals who don’t want a train coming anywhere near their property.


They hypocritically seek routing changes that are clearly outside the law and have shown they are willing to waste time and taxpayer dollars to defy the will of the voters. Despite these efforts, construction is underway on more than 100 miles in the Central Valley on the nation’s first bullet train with support from federal, state and local governments.

Rather than relying on the claims of self-interested high-speed rail foes, your readers should know that the Independent Legislative Independent Peer Review Group and other official sources have confirmed that our plans meet the financial, engineering and operating requirements, precisely as set forth by Proposition 1A.

Unfortunately, the U-T continues to insist on the broken record of opponent’s claims that have been proven incorrect time and time again.

Dan Richard

Board Chairman

California High-Speed Rail Authority