Judge Nixes Bullet Train Route Through South Bay

Slowing down the rail project to a halt

There's no money in the budget to build the California High Speed Rail Authority's bullet train that would link southern and northern California. But even if there was, the state would not be allowed to build it, according to a judge's ruling.

A judge ruled that the train may not travel through the South Bay and the Peninsula because planners did not adequately show how the project would affect local traffic, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

The cities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Atherton have all filed suit against the project, saying they prefer a railroad route that skips the Peninsula and instead uses the Dumbarton Bridge.

Train planners said they'd do more studies and perhaps move the line -- which could possibly result in another lawsuit for Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny to rule upon, the newspaper said.

Cost estimates for the rail line have steadily increased, up to $99 billion at latest estimate.
 

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