RAIL VOTE LIKELY ON TRACK FOR 2008 RUNNER, OTHERS SEEK TO KEEP PROJECT FUNDING ON STATE'S ELECTION AGENDA.

Byline: JIM SKEEN Staff Writer

PALMDALE -- As a bond measure to begin a proposed high speed rail system appears headed for a two-year delay, state Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, is joining an effort to create a joint legislative committee to shepherd a bond vote through in 2008.

Runner signed on as a co-author of Senate Concurrent Resolution 123 by Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, to create a joint legislative committee on high-speed trains. The committee would be responsible for further refining the rail project in time for the Nov. 4, 2008, statewide election.

``This resolution is to ensure the high-speed rail project does not get derailed and to oversee and make sure it stays on the right track,'' Runner said.

The proposed 700-mile rail system would run from Sacramento to San Diego and would have a stop in Palmdale. At an estimated $37 billion, the system would be one of the most expensive public works projects in U.S. history.

Supporters of the rail project argue that it would cost twice that amount to build up highway and air systems to accommodate the same estimated 68 million passengers annually the rail system would serve.

A $9.95 billion state bond measure for the project is scheduled to be put before California voters in November 2006. However, a bill authored by Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont, will delay that vote to 2008.

That bill has already cleared the Assembly and appears likely to clear the Senate.

``I support high-speed rail and believe it will be a valuable part of the solution to California's transportation needs for the 21st century,'' Torrico said. ``But with more than $47 billion in bonds currently set for the November ballot, including nearly $30 billion for transportation, I think the high-speed rail bond will have a much better chance of passing in 2008 than in 2006.''

Under SCR 123, the high-speed rail committee would hold public hearings to receive public comment and review the work of the High-Speed Rail Authority and plans for development of the project. It will also recommend necessary legislation for the effective and efficient advancement of the high-speed train project to the Legislature.

SCR 123 will be assigned to a policy committee for a public hearing in the next few weeks.

After years of lobbying, Antelope Valley officials were successful in getting the state Rail Authority to plan the route between Bakersfield and Los Angeles through the high desert rather than along Interstate 5.

The proposed Antelope Valley alignment would follow Highway 58 from Bakersfield to Mojave, then run south along the Union Pacific railroad tracks through Lancaster, Palmdale and Soledad Canyon.

``The high-speed rail project will positively impact commuters throughout California,'' Runner said. ``The current track will have a stop at the Palmdale Airport which will be a great benefit to the Antelope Valley and help with the expansion of the airport.''

Palmdale has spent nearly $600,000 studying and promoting the Antelope Valley route, which officials say would add just a few minutes to travel time but would serve 750,000 more residents than along Interstate 5.

The officials also argued that the route would not require tunneling or raise as many environmental concerns as a rail line over the Grapevine.