I think the Central Valley was a giant fait accompli to get the rest of the project funded in case of a political crisis. The prevailing mood in 08-09 was also

I think the Central Valley was a giant fait accompli to get the rest of the project funded in case of a political crisis. The prevailing mood in 08-09 was also that CAHSR would be used similarly to the economic stimulus passed by congress. You would think listening to CAHSR blog and their ilk back then that Fresno and Bakersfield were the navel of the world.