I wouldn't be surprised if it passes. According to
the Ballotpedia article on this proposition, there was a Field poll in July on its predecessor with results
In Favor: 56 percent
Opposed: 30 percent
Undecided: 14 percent
Checking on
the project's official site reveals some absolutely magnificent hype, with 3D-model-animation simulations of the trains in various places, alongside various local and regional passenger trains, and also freight trains. Those other trains, especially the freight trains, are shown as being on separate tracks.
The site also has
a Google-Map version of the routing, showing the various sorts of construction that are planned. That construction will include several tunnels in the more mountainous areas, like the Tehachapi area and the Pacheco Pass area. However, much of the trackage in urban areas will be elevated.
From Los Angeles, the planned line will split in two, one southeast to Anaheim and Irvine in Orange County, and one east to Pomona, Ontario, and Riverside in the Inland Empire, and then south to Escondido San Diego.
The line to Sacramento will go north along the east side of that city, then turn westward to that city's station.
Over in a Facebook group of CA HSR supporters, some people have speculated about additional routes. I will now assess them.
Palmdale to Las Vegas (250 mi): should not be very difficult. One can go to Victorville, and then along I-15, the existing Union Pacific line, or the proposed DesertXPress line. It may be necessary to have a Victorville - Riverside bus connection until a tunnel can be built through the mountains in between.
Riverside to Phoenix (320 mi): also should not be very difficult. One can go to Palm Springs / Indio, and then along I-10 for most of the way. The line could then be extended to Tucson, a further 120 mi in close to flat terrain.
Sacramento to Reno (132 mi): will be very difficult, because of the Sierra Nevada mountains in between.
Sacramento to Chico and Redding (160 mi): should not be very difficult, but those towns are not very populous.
Redding to Eugene (320 mi): will be very difficult, because of the southern Cascade mountains. It will also be difficult to justify, because of the low population density.
The map also shows the Altamont route as a possibility, though I think that the reaction to it in Livermore will likely be something like:
MOTHERS LOOK OUT FOR YOUR CHILDREN!
ARTISANS, MECHANICS, CITIZENS!
When you live your family in health, must you be hurried home to mourn a
DREADFUL CASUALITY!
LIVERMOREANS, your RIGHTS are being invaded! regardless of your interests, or the LIVES OF YOUR LITTLE ONES, THE CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY, with the assistance of other companies without a Charter, and in VIOLATION OF LAW, as decreed by your Courts, are laying a
LOCOMOTIVE RAIL ROAD!
Through your most Beautiful Streets, to the RUIN of your TRADE, annihilation of your RIGHTS, and regardless of your PROSPERITY and COMFORT. Will you permit this? or do you consent to be a
SUBURB OF LOS ANGELES!!
Rails are now being laid on STANLEY BOULEVARD to CONNECT the EAST BAY LINE with the CENTRAL VALLEY LINE under the pretence of constructing a City Passenger Railway from Fremont to Stockton!!! This is done under the auspices of the CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY MONOPOLY!
RALLY PEOPLE in the Majesty of your Strength and forbid THIS
OUTRAGE!
(from a famous 1839 NIMBY poster, rewritten appropriately)
