Atherton officials are not on board with the idea of running high-speed rail tracks through town. As a plan to link Los Angeles and San Francisco via high-speed trains inches closer to fruition, Atherton is making its pitch to route the trains away from its residents’ backyards.
A number of different routes are being considered during an environmental review of the massive project, and Atherton is weighing in with concerns and suggestions. One route being considered would add high-speed rail tracks to the Caltrain right-of-way through the Peninsula. “Construction of a high-speed rail line would be devastating to towns on the peninsula,” said Councilman Jim Janz. “It needs a 100 foot right-of-way, it would take a lot of land.”
The council unanimously agreed that high-speed rail should either run through the East Bay via the “Altamont” route or go through the Pacheco Pass and run along Highway 101 to Interstate 280.
