To the editor: It’s onerous to imagine that the state of California continues to assist this dismal high-speed rail failure. (“Newsom and state leaders stress high-speed rail progress amid new challenges,” Jan. 7)
Gov. Gavin Newsom “disapproves of the criticism.” He says, “We are able to’t return. We simply have to simply accept the accountability of the place we’re.”
The place we’re? You imply constructing a ineffective stretch of rail to serve the Central Valley? You imply persevering with to assist a venture that can price $100 billion greater than initially estimated? You imply losing taxpayer {dollars} so you’ll be able to crow about “hundreds of jobs the venture has supplied”?
You possibly can return, Gov. Newsom. Right here’s how: Abandon that foolish, wasteful white elephant, and convert the viaducts which have been constructed for use by vehicles that transfer items and produce. Flip these staff free on rebuilding our roadways or developing reservoirs.
Jerrold Coleman, Santa Clarita
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To the editor: California high-speed rail is a gigantic and technically bold venture that can assist the state meet its local weather objectives. It’s going to present a clear various to driving and flying and assist scale back visitors at our overburdened roads and airports. The system will even hyperlink the state collectively in ways in which will probably be economically useful for generations to return.
As Los Angeles burns, critics of high-speed rail double down on fossil fuels. Their shortsightedness will solely make these disastrous wildfires much more intense and frequent sooner or later.
Now is just not the time to drag again from high-speed rail. As an alternative, it’s time to push ahead with much more urgency and full this transformative venture.
Donald Flaherty, Los Angeles
