>>1220155Original HSR plans had the crossing over a rebuilt Dumbarton bridge south of Redwood City, wherein they would cross over and wye off just before Stockton. This plan of action still has it's supporters since it would give equal access to SF, SJ, and Oakland rather than having all trains be routed through SJ while SF becomes a dead-end. I note it above because, if ACE electrifies using SB-1 money, this becomes an expedient way to run HSR trains into the Bay Area without having to build tunnels under Pacheco Pass, letting CHSRA save money for Tehapichi Pass.
That said, the case for the Pacheco tunnels remains extremely strong because of San Jose's huge population, which CHSRA needs to make an operational profit thus allowing them to have PRIIA money. My point above was that even if Republicans try to kill this one part, they've already given CHSRA a backup plan to the north.
