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Old Posted Apr 8, 2012, 3:54 AM
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ANAHEIM – For years, the idea of a high-speed rail system in California has been sold as a line that would whisk passengers from the San Francisco Bay Area to the resort area of Anaheim.

But now it appears that line will stop short of the Disneyland area, ending instead in Los Angeles – at least in the first phase, according to new plans released by the California High Speed Rail authority this week.

The rail agency has been looking at ways to make the $68-billion line more cost efficient and confirmed this week that new plans show the southern terminus at L.A.'s Union Station, potentially saving $6 billion.

Instead of getting to Anaheim at speeds of up to 220 mph via train, travelers would have to take slower trains to make the 30-mile trek south of Los Angeles.

That's potentially bad news for high-speed rail supporters and tourism officials counting on the line bringing millions of passengers annually directly to Anaheim, within miles of Disneyland and the surrounding resort area. The Walt Disney Co. has strongly advocated for the project.

But some Anaheim officials are quick to point out that Anaheim isn't being cut out of plans all together. And Orange County and Los Angeles transportation officials have long been talking about other options.

Anaheim Councilwoman Kris Murray said Anaheim is still working on getting faster trains between L.A. and Anaheim – just not the "electrified" lines that are projected to be so expensive.

"We (on the City Council) are working closely with the resort district for enhanced train service to better serve Anaheim and the region," Murray said. "We still believe that can happen with trains that travel 90 to 110 mph, just not the 220 mph of the electrified lines."

State voters approved the concept of an Anaheim-to-San Francisco line with Prop 1A in 2008. So Anaheim couldn't be left out entirely without voters weighing in again, Murray said.

Some in Orange County, including Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson, whose district includes Anaheim, think the cost-saving measure is a good idea. Nelson has said publicly for years that electrifying the system between Anaheim and L.A. isn't cost efficient.

Orange County lost a strong advocate on the state's rail board last July, when former Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, who also served on the state's High Speed Rail Authority, resigned.

Anaheim is still moving forward with its transportation hub, called ARTIC, a $200-million project that will serve trains, buses and taxis in the region. An open house at the site between Angel Stadium and the Honda Center for potential contractors is planned May 2.

Some Anaheim officials said Saturday that they hadn't been contacted about any changes, including Councilwoman Lorri Galloway, who represents Anaheim on the Orange County Transportation Authority board.

"It is so in flux," Galloway said. "So to comment on what may or may not happen, I think at this point is premature. We'll have to see."
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