Pacific Union has withheld their “Right of Way” over key segments of the LA/SF corridor that the Bullet Train would traverse. They claim safety issues as the reason.

From the LA Times last week:

Officials at Union Pacific railroad recently told the California High Speed Rail Authority that they have safety and operational concerns about running a bullet train close to lumbering freight trains.

“Just look at what happened in L.A. a few years ago,” said Scott Moore, a Union Pacific vice president, citing the 2005 crash of a Metrolink passenger train that killed 11 and hampered rail operations.

“Those accidents happen.”

This is kind of a big roadblock from what I’ve gathered. And if you’re motivated, for or against, drop them a line here.

Here is a sample trip:

• SF to LA
• Distance: 432 Miles
• CO2/Saved per trip: 324 lbs
• Travel Time: 2hrs, 38 mins.
• Estimated Cost: Train $55, Car $86, Air $120

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And if you’re not that familiar with the High Speed Rail project make sure to check out this great site the Rail Authority has put together.

H/t to WorldHum.