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Study Shows High Speed Rail Would Benefit San Diego

A new study says a high-speed train system in California would generate more than 45,000 jobs in San Diego and ease traffic congestion in the region. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Study Shows High Speed Rail Would Benefit San Diego

A new study says a high-speed train system in California would generate more than 45,000 jobs in San Diego and ease traffic congestion in the region. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

The study was conducted by the San Diego Institute for Policy Research for the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

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Eric Bruvold is the president of the research institute.

He says the study found the high-speed train would reduce San Diego freeway congestion by about nine-percent.

Bruvold: About one out of every 10 trips that's being used on our freeways to make those trips is going to be diverted by high-speed rail. And that in turn has a pretty dramatic impact upon whether the freeways are gridlocked or free-flowing.

He says the study also found the high-speed train system would be less costly than expanding highways and airports to meet similar travel needs.

Proposition 1A on the November ballot would fund the high speed rail.
      
Opponents maintain the train system would be too expensive and would be under-used by Californians.

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Ed Joyce, KPBS News.