http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/public_notice/pdf/Def_of_Alt/Caltrain%20Corridor/Alignment%20Options/caltrain_004.pdf

This web page comes from the California High Speed Rail Authority web
site showing their plans for the tracks as they would run within the
Caltrain rail corridor. This route is their preferred choice since
it passes through San Jose, Silicon Valley and connects directly with
San Francisco. There is a lot of political pressure for this route.

Below the map, the lower diagram shows the track elevations. (If you
can print it, you should.) The section between Fifth Avenue south to
San Francisquito Creek is identified as "Retained Fill." The
sections north and south of this section are identified as "At
Grade." The Atherton/Menlo Park "Retained Fill" section also has the
height marked at 4.6 meters (which is 15 ft.). I assume that
"Retained Fill" means fill retained by retaining walls (see San
Carlos)which will be, in this case, 15 ft. high. Unless I am
mistaken, it is their intention and plan, with Caltrain's
collaboration, to raise the rail beds from Fifth Avenue north to San
Francisquito Creek south by 15 ft., most likely to permit road
crossing under-passes at the current track+street intersections. As
you can see, this would be the least disruptive for them, and the
most disruptive for us.

So what? It means that if the massive efforts to get this HSR
project funded are successful, we in Atherton and Menlo Park can
expect the rail corridor to be widened to accommodate four tracks
plus it being raised by 15 ft.

If we can't even get Caltrain to be responsive to our needs, what are
our chances with the pro-HSR Democratic Legislature, the Governor,
the CHSRA, and all their minions?

I can't tell you how much I wish I was wrong about all this.

Martin

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Martin Engel
1621 Stone Pine Lane
Menlo Park, CA 94025
650:323-1670
martinengel@earthlink.net
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