BayRail Alliance

December 27, 1991: The PCJPB purchased the 51.4-mile railroad right-of-way from Southern Pacific. The right-of-way, which runs from San Francisco to San Jose, cost $219 million. San Mateo County provides the funding with the understanding that San Francisco and Santa Clara County would pay San Mateo County back, promises that are later broken and which create a sore point between the counties. Included with the purchase were trackage rights for the rails between San Jose and Gilroy, with an option to acquire half the right of way at a cost of $30 million (check this number). Santa Clara County fails to pursue this option to buy the right of way, and it expires in 1996.