I find it quite ironic that the cities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and the town of Atherton are protesting that the HSR route should have gone through Altamont/Niles/Centerville/Dumbarton. That is of course the route I want, but the only reason those localities are after that route is to keep it away from Their Fair Cities [Town]. And furthermore, I've ready comments from some of these NIMBYs who express outrage that the route isn't along US-101. Engineering reasons aside (it's a stupid routing; of course an existing rail corridor is more sensible), the unstated reason, as you point out, is that it would inconvenience the Po'folks in East Palo Alto rather than the Rich People.
Further irony: After construction of an improved rail transit system, with electrified Caltrain as well as HSR, the value of the property along the rail right of way will almost certainly increase. If I had money to invest for the long term, I'd put it into housing near stations along the line.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2009-03-03 06:57 pm (UTC)Further irony: After construction of an improved rail transit system, with electrified Caltrain as well as HSR, the value of the property along the rail right of way will almost certainly increase. If I had money to invest for the long term, I'd put it into housing near stations along the line.