Readers React: Bullet train would tear apart communities

To the editor: Do we need to get to San Francisco a few hours quicker? Is it so important to have high-speed rail that we need to spend countless billions of dollars, rip communities apart and endure years of noisy, traffic-causing construction? (“San Fernando leaders confront state officials over bullet train route,” May 30)

I just went through five years of the 405 Freeway being widened — including the Mulholland bridge being ripped down and rebuilt, the never-ending traffic and sudden ramp closures that made me gray, mountain slopes being replaced with vertical walls that bounce the traffic noise right into my back garden — just to add a few lanes. It seems to have done nothing except made my home nearly impossible to sell.

Angelenos should learn from this 405 nightmare and not allow the bullet train to cut our communities apart. Too bad if someone headed to San Francisco will get there a few hours later.

Shane Brolly, Sherman Oaks

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To the editor: I understand the anger and frustration that residents of the city of San Fernando are experiencing with the projected loss of the heart of their city as a result of the bullet train. I am also concerned that the expensive alternative routes tunneling under the San Gabriel Mountains would disrupt wildlife and water sources important to Los Angeles and the Angeles National Forest.

Along with its airport, Metrolink station and Superfund cleanup site, does Burbank really desire a high-speed rail station? Why not directly connect Palmdale and L.A.’s Union Station?

Katharine Paull, Kagel Canyon

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