Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaroslaw
In Asia high speed rail is generally elevated. In Japan it seems that only the oldest section, Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka(?) is not elevated 100%. In Taiwan, the line is entirely off the ground, and includes the longest single elevated section in the world, 200km or something like that. In Korea, also elevated (when not in a tunnel). It's elevated like this mostly to reduce the risk of accidents, I suppose.
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110 or more mph trains have to be grade separated in America too. The biggest gripe from rural Americans in the very high speed rail corridor plans is lost of acres to farming and ranching. At least, that's what happen at the environmental study meetings in Texas over a decade ago. Elevating the tracks, either using viaducts or fills, solves the problem of farmers and ranchers getting to their back 40 acres cut off from the rest of their property by the rail line. That's why California wishes to reuse the existing rail corridors as much as possible, to minimize this lost of access to property. Although California may use more below grade ditches, they will be using above grade viaducts and fills too.
Getting back on topic, that's one very nice looking high speed rail project. Thanks for posting the construction photos.