California’s Infrastructure Priorities Are for the Cars

Of course the High Speed Rail Program made the Governor's list. But only one other transit project is as important as cars. Photo: NPR
Of course the High Speed Rail Program made the Governor's list. But only one other transit project is as important as cars. Photo: NPR

Governor Jerry Brown delivered a letter to President Trump today outlining priorities for transportation infrastructure spending in California.

The priorities are “pursuant to Executive Order 13766,” signed today, that aims to “streamline and expedite. . . environmental reviews and approvals for all infrastructure projects” and especially those projects that are “a high priority for the Nation.”

Governor Brown responded with this list of “high-priority infrastructure projects in need of expedited environmental review,” to wit:

  • a highway expansion
  • another highway expansion
  • demolishing a bridge
  • a streetcar
  • a highway expansion
  • a highway expansion
  • a highway expansion
  • a highway expansion
  • high-speed rail
  • the Oroville dam spillway

At least it’s consistent with the focus of the transportation funding bills currently being considered: more highways for cars, with a dollop of transit and one very urgent waterway.

Also, would it have hurt to add the electrification of Caltrain to the list, even though it has cleared its environmental hurdles already? Just to make a point.

9 thoughts on California’s Infrastructure Priorities Are for the Cars

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  4. CALtrain ekectrification

    Union Station upgrade

    LOSSAN electrification

    Miramar tunnel

    protected bike lanes statewide

    dozens of minor upgrade transit projects

  7. It’s a shame to see Gov. Brown undermining his tough talk with more projects that would solidify several more decades of backwards development. There are several other more worth projects for the list that are not HSR. I’d imagine that the remainder of the Tehachapi double-tracking, several Metrolink double-tracking projects, LOSSAN double-tracking projects, and some ACEforward projects could all use some regulatory relief. Yet, none of those are on that list, which is quite a shame and missed opportunity to lead.

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  9. I imagine Governor Brown’s trying to make some common cause with this “administration” in terms of infrastructure. It’s possible he’s hoping high-speed rail funding will be restored if he can appease Trump a bit.

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