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| A separate high-speed project connecting communities
throughout Southern California via magnetic-levitation
technology includes a Palmdale stop as well. This project
may be built sooner than the state's high-speed rail
route, if its proponents are successful in using private
funding to kick-start development. "I think you've
got to participate in all of them, because ultimately
someone might build one," Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford
said. |
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| The Southern California Association of Governments
includes maglev trains in its long-term transportation
plans for the region, with a line connecting Palmdale to
Los Angeles by 2024. But a joint-powers authority of 14
cities, including Palmdale, hopes to see a 100-mile
maglev line operational between Irvine and Palmdale by
2011. It's already contracting with private-industry
partners to get things rolling - or levitating, as the
case may be. |
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| The Orangeline Development Authority, with 14 member
cities from Orange County to the Antelope Valley, has
contracted with a 20-member team headed by
Lockheed-Martin to develop detailed engineering,
environmental and financial studies, Orangeline Executive
Director Albert Perdon said.
........................ Private funding,
public benefit: The plan is to use private
funding and bonds to build the line, with public funding
coming via the use of existing right-of-ways near
freeways or rail lines. Fare revenues would pay for
operating costs, maintenance and, eventually, the $12
billion capital costs of building the line, Perdon said. |
| The admittedly optimistic goal, Perdon said, is to
have all studies completed and ready for construction to
begin in three years, with the line operational by 2011. |
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| Airport, business
boon. Michael Cano, who handles transportation issues for
Antonovich said, "It's time to start talking about
spending real dollars on real transportation projects,
and not just adding lanes to freeway." "The
future of L.A. County depends on creating a dependable
high-speed link connecting the Antelope Valley to Los
Angeles." "We're highly supportive of both
(high-speed projects), because for us, the main thing is
our dream of a regional airport and growth for the
Antelope Valley." |
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| Other supporters of the development of Palmdale
airport also believe high-speed rail - or maglev trains -
will help further the under-utilized facility's
expansion. "When this service goes through, it will
have a profound effect on the Antelope Valley, and on the
feasibility of the airport, and the attractiveness of the
airport for airlines." Perdon said. Brooks agreed.
"It would be a huge benefit," Brooks said.
"It makes the Palmdale airport one of most
attractive airports around for anybody that has easy
access to high-speed rail stops. If you're in the San
Fernando Valley or Santa Clarita, or up in Bakersfield,
you could hop on a high-speed rail train and be dropped
off at the (airport's) front door in 20 or 30 minutes, as
opposed to getting to LAX, which is a nightmare." |
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| Speedy access to Los Angeles and beyond helps the
Valley's economy, as well, by offering another incentive
to businesses looking for a place to grow. "For
businesses looking for low-cost land, but needing to move
people back and forth between major centers of
population, we are set," Brooks said. "It's a
tremendous business attraction." |
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