May 2011 Legislative Analyst’s Office report

The Wednesday (May 11,2011) Sacramento Bee article by Dan Walters points out, the Legislature’s budget analyst finds more flaws in the faltered CA HSRA plan on Tuesday. On Wednesday a “peer review” committee is due to announce similar criticisms to a special State committee overlooking the project.

Meanwhile, the $millions spent on PR/marketing to the Fresno government and politically connected has convinced them that the HSR is a valid project as they work feverishly to move it forward at a desperate pace. The marketers successfully lead the un-knowledgeable that $5billion will buy Central California a statewide train. The Fresno government officials were never told by the PR firm the fundamentals of math. $5billion divided by $70million per mile equals 71.4 miles. Yes, the newest feasibility contract awarded to URS will find an at-grade electrified heavy rail track costs less than half of the $150million per mile elevated track. How many millions of dollars was spent in the new URS contract to figure this out, another $10million?

The important thing for the HSRA is to make sure as much as possible is spent quickly before the federal dollars might disappear. They should award contracts to study new routes, elevated options, at grade route and even sub grade options. At least the upper lever execs can justify nice bonuses and the share holders of URS can make a tidy profit to help contribute to the next election cycle. The citizens of CA are able to at least then feel important to have made a contribution to the circle of status-quo.