Newsom’s detour on high-speed rail could put state on better transit track

In his State of the State address last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom made an announcement that provides a long overdue opportunity to press the reset button on the California high-speed rail project from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Until now, California high-speed rail was a vision — but without honest project management. Compare that with the Golden Gate Bridge, whose vision was supported by project management that resulted in the on-time, under-budget, fully funded icon we laud today.

While I have always shared the vision of a world-class rail system in California that includes high-speed rail, I have long questioned the cost, feasibility and management of the state’s high-speed rail project.

The vision of bringing passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles in less than three hours on trains traveling more than 200 mph for only $13 billion was unrealistic.

Solid supporting evidence from engineers or economists about the feasibility of this vision never existed, and the finances necessary to meet the challenges of such a complicated project that crosses the Tehachapi Mountains never materialized. The project also lacked transparency and oversight, leading to misinformation about timing, costs and practicality, which has eroded the public’s confidence in government and patience with this project.

My concerns about the original high-speed rail project made me one of only four Democrats to oppose a funding proposal in 2012 in the state Senate. In 2014, I was the only Democrat who voted against using cap-andtrade funds to finance high-speed rail.

What was needed then is what is needed now — a holistic approach to California’s transportation challenges that begins with addressing our most pressing congestion needs in urban areas in the short term, and building upon those investments in the long run.

We should begin by working diligently to upgrade our commuter-rail service in major cities, expand urbantransit systems, and eventually link regions of our state. All of these investments would serve as important steps leading up to long-distance, high-speed rail, while at the same time helping us connect workers and jobs more efficiently.

For cities in the Central Valley, the passenger rail we build can be the foundation of a major effort to expand housing options while supporting walking, transit and rail transport. With the construction of new transportation infrastructure, private property values tend to rise. Helping communities use some of that private value created to fund infrastructure and other public benefits — a type of financing called “value capture” — should be part of the plan. The rail service in the Central Valley must be connected with other regions in the state to create more opportunities for workers and businesses throughout the state.

If we fail to take this opportunity to reset now, California’s transportation problems will continue to be a drag on our economic and innovative output.

Too many workers are stuck in unbearable commutes as they struggle to find affordable housing at a reasonable distance from their jobs. Our younger workers want a place in our cities with safe and convenient transportation options and access to opportunity. As we pursue the path forward on high-speed rail, we should keep these aspirations in mind.

The governor’s reset gives us a fresh start, and an opportunity for a more thoughtful approach that responds directly to California’s transportation, environmental and economic-development needs. I look forward to working with Gov. Newsom in the coming years and in Congress to develop a world-class passenger rail system for California’s future.

Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, serves on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and previously served as chairman of the California Senate and Assembly transportation committees. He was also a board member of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at SFChronicle.com/letters.

Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle Gov. Gavin Newsom uses his first State of the State speech Tuesday to announce his plan to change course on the floundering high-speed rail project. He says he will focus on building just the Central Valley segment of the line from Merced to Bakersfield and not the full route that is touted to whisk passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles in less than three hours.