Quentin Kopp makes the case for High-Speed citing population increases, job creation and mostly stronlgy-the central valley will get more business as people discover its cheaper land.

Quentin Kopp: High Speed Rail is Unquestionable California’s Transportation Future | GVC Conference 2009: 2020 Foresight

Quentin Kopp: High Speed Rail is Unquestionable California’s Transportation Future

05/06/09 | 2:05 PM

Sacramento- “High speed rail is unquestionably California’s transportation future,” stated Quentin Kopp, the Chair of the High Speed Rail Authority in his address this morning to the audience at the Great Valley Center’s annual conference in Sacramento.

Judge Kopp pointed to the projected population growth of California to highlight the necessity of innovative transportation in California. California’s population will grow from 38.2 million to 50 million by 2030. What does that mean for transportation? Increased miles on highways, increased airport runways and gates, and the incredible upcoming California high speed rail.

The technology of high speed rail is not new. It currently exists in 11 different counties, from France to China. High speed rail has been operating in other countries (and making a profit) for 40 years.

Judge Kopp gave provided the audience with some incredible facts about the high speed rail system as it will function in California. It will be able to operate at a maximum of 220 miles per hour, though it will run a little slower in more densely populated areas. A trip from Fresno to San Jose on high speed rail will take 65 minutes, and San Francisco to Los Angeles only 2 hour and 38 minutes.

The nuts and bolts of the high speed rail came together last September when voters passed a $10 billion dollar bond to add to funding for the project. What was incredible was the voters who supported the bond were voters that were 45 and under. People who have most likely experienced innovative transportation in other countries and knew it should exist here in California as well.

One of the most exciting things is the impact this project can have on the Valley. One of the most exciting pieces of news related to high speed rail for the Valley is that a section in the Valley will be one of the initial stages to be constructed. Also the decreased commute times can potentially mean business would be more likely to consider locating business in the Valley due to lower land prices and increased accessibility to the rest of California. Finally, the Valley will surely benefit from the 150,000 construction related jobs that will be developed as a result of the project.

Judge Kopp ended by the encouraging the audience not to be discouraged by the current economic time, with a reminder that the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge.