Judge Kopp releases statement on Prop. 1

Judge Quentin Kopp, chairman of the California High Speed Rail Authority, issued a statement after the Aug. 24 deadline passed to enact legislation to make revisions to Prop. 1, which will be on the California state ballot in November.

"Californians are ready to approve construction of a high-speed train system linking every major metropolitan area in the state,” he said. “Even without this legislative action, Proposition 1 leads in all recent polling showing voter understanding and enthusiasm and their willingness ready to invest in a modern transportation alternative. Soaring gas prices, declining airline service and clogged freeways contribute to their support.”

Prop. 1 would provide $9.9 billion to help build the first U.S. high-speed rail system, which would run between San Francisco and San Diego. Kopp added that, if passed, the high-speed rail system would relieve 70 million passenger trips a year on California freeways, reduce foreign oil dependence by 22 million barrels a year and reduce CO2 by 18 billion tons.

"No longer will the old 20th century approaches to transportation meet California's needs,” he added. “Electric high-speed trains traveling up to 220 miles per hour, offer a 21st century solution embraced by the rest of the world. Now, California is set to lead America again."