advertisement

---

Financing strategies and a route alignment were the hot topics at the California High Speed Rail Authority’s board meeting last week.

The authority has made “significant inroads” with potential private-sector partners to help finance the $10 billion system, board members said. The authority also will need federal funding and private-sector financing in addition to a state bond measure scheduled to appear on the November 2008 ballot.

During the meeting, staff members recommended using the Pacheco Pass in southern Santa Clara County to connect the Central Valley and Bay Area, rather than the previously discussed Altamont Pass in eastern Alameda County. The Pacheco Pass would attract the greatest number of riders with the least environmental impact, according to the authority.

The recommendation also calls for the authority to seek partnerships with local transit agencies to help improve rail service between Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Valley, and Oakland and San Jose.