Locals share impacts of high-speed rail plan

"Observing the discussion for the past year, year-and-a-half, there should be a discussion and understanding of the uniqueness of the Peninsula on the right-of-way," said Hill. "With cities growing up around the train stations and each city being unique as they are, that might get lost in a statewide discussion."

The three-hour tour began in the San Carlos/Belmont area and moved north through San Mateo and Burlingame and all the way to Brisbane. On the tour, Pringle could see the different interests as some cities have close quarters to the rail line and others have plenty of room for the 100 feet needed to bring the rail line to this particular stretch from San Jose to San Francisco. In Belmont, there are a number of industrial-type businesses and apartment buildings to the east of the tracks whereas San Mateo has a mix of residences, businesses and its downtown with a movie theater and train station right on the tracks. In Burlingame, Mayor Cathy Baylock sought to show Pringle the historic nature of the main train station and its proximity to its downtown retail core, Washington Park, 100-year-old eucalyptus trees and residences. The city literally sprouted from the train station more than 100 years ago and creating a raised platform would have a severe impact on its character, Baylock said she tried to express. North of Burlingame, there is less concern. The city of Millbrae would welcome it and its potential for a station and San Bruno could use it for separating its train tracks from the road. In South San Francisco, high-speed rail would build a train station where there is currently just a stop.

In the discussion over high-speed rail, there has been difficulty in creating a cohesive voice with not only different concerns but also different styles of governance. The city of Burlingame has been vocal in its desire to have the tracks underground which is also the interest of the city of San Mateo. However, the city of San Mateo decided it would work with the High Speed Rail Authority rather than try to work against it. Supervisor Carole Groom, whose second district includes Belmont and San Mateo has heard a variety of concerns about high-speed rail including the width of the line, the speed of the trains and the frequency. She also believes the rail authority has been guilty of heavy-handed tactics with what appeared to be a lack of interest in discussing concerns. That has created a significant amount of anxiety for many while they wait for clearer alternatives analysis slated to be revealed in April. For San Mateo, it is clear undergrounding the line is the way to go.

"In some places, we just don't have the 100 feet," Groom said.

San Mateo Mayor John Lee agrees.

"There's no way to go through downtown unless it goes under," he said.

Baylock hopes the shared interest of the two cities to have the line underground will be of benefit to both.

"All I'm asking from other cities is that they respect our desire to have it underground," she said, adding that cities to the north can have it above-ground and free up some money for undergrounding to the south.

There are still deep questions about financing for the more than $42 billion system even with the $9.9 billion state bond starter money and the potential for $2.25 billion in stimulus money along with the impacts on the cities through which the rail line is set to travel. And a big question is that of dwindling political will hammered by the recession. If the project does move forward, there will be unprecedented amounts of workshops, planning sessions, meetings and legal action. Both Groom and Baylock appreciated Pringle taking the time to see their communities up close and listen to concerns. As the discussion progresses, there will be more need to apply pressure at the state level for a route with which most will be happy. Hill said he is paying close attention, but with divergent concerns and political styles even in a small portion of one segment of the route, getting there is sure to be no small task. But so is herding cats.

Jon Mays is the editor in chief of the Daily Journal. He can be reached at jon@smdailyjournal.com.