USC professor appointed to direct high-speed train project (Source: ContraCostaTimes.com)

Link: USC professor appointed to direct high-speed train project - ContraCostaTimes.com

USC professor appointed to direct high-speed train project
From news services
Posted: 07/07/2009 04:32:59 PM PDT
Updated: 07/07/2009 04:33:21 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES - A USC professor and urban planner was appointed today to spearhead the development of a maglev train system for Southern California.

Cerritos Mayor Bruce Barrows, who heads the Orangeline Development Authority, chose Michael Kodama as executive director of the project.

Planners envision an elevated, 110-mile-long train line between Irvine and Palmdale. The estimated cost of the overall project is in the $12 billion range.

Barrows called Kodama "the perfect choice for this position," noting his extensive knowledge of Los Angeles and Orange County transportation issues.

Kodama's 20 years of urban planning experience includes the development of freeways, and bus and rail lines.

The UCLA graduate teaches transportation planning at USC and is the president of his own transportation planning firm.

The maglev train would travel as fast as 240 mph and have a passenger capacity on par with the that of an eight-lane freeway, according to the Orangeline Web site.

The train would be able to carry passengers and freight, including container cargo coming off ships, on a route that follows Interstate 5, the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and parts of the old Pacific Electric line