The High-Speed Man

Evidence of a fascination bordering on obsession clutters Jack Ybarra's downtown Campbell office with photos of trains, trolleys and streetcars.

It's an old interest, one that reaches back to an era when Southern Pacific steam locomotives chugged past the orchards where Ybarra worked with his parents and nine siblings as a young boy in rural Santa Clara County of the 1930s and '40s.

The railroad would be Ybarra's path out of the fields. In 1981, he started Transmetrics, an engineering and management company, which has been involved with high-speed rail projects from Spain to Taiwan. It's also involved in the contentious plan to link Northern California to Southern California with a high speed rail line. As president and CEO, Ybarra oversees 20 working in an office on Bascom Avenue.

Ybarra, like his company, is down to earth. His quiet demeanor belies his passion for transportation.

Campbell Patch sat down with Ybarra to discuss a project close to home: the proposed light-rail extension from Campbell to Los Gatos. Back in the mid 1990s, Transmetrics worked on the project's preliminary studies, focusing on right of ways and costs. Now, Ybarra is keeping a close eye on the project and waiting to get involved. 

Campbell Patch: Tell us a little about the current light rail service for Campbell.

Jack Ybarra: There are currently two stations that serve Campbell: the Winchester and Hamilton stations. Campbell is well served, and people can come from South San Jose and Mountain View and use our businesses, spend some time and money.

Patch: The proposed extension of the light-rail system from where it ends on Campbell Avenue on to Los Gatos near the Netflix campus is something of concern, particularly from two businesses in Campbell—Economic Lumber and Summer Winds Nursery.

According to Neil Collins, executive director of the Campbell Chamber of Commerce, the concern is in part due to the proposed extension's route and the possibility of the two businesses losing portions of their property to parking lots and right of ways. In your time of working with various transportation projects, including VTA light rail, how are these situations usually addressed? Is there a need for concern?

Ybarra: There will always be concerns over right of ways. I don't think there are large amounts of right of ways needed for this project. Those light-rail stations tend to be more narrow and long. This project in particular may need to have double tracks and the right of way in those portions belongs to Southern Pacific. If there's a need to take right of way, it won't be a large amount, and people will be compensated.

In terms of parking, deals can be made between the various parties to share parking space.

There really shouldn't be too much alarm or concern. The impact is not that great. Light rail is very flexible and can be accommodated with relatively narrow right of ways.

Patch: In every project, there is always some give and take. If these businesses work with VTA, what's there to gain for them?

Ybarra: Eventually, there will be more people that can take advantage of their businesses with the new access. More people can then also take advantage of the various events that take place in downtown Campbell.

Patch: The EIR is slotted for completion and public view in spring 2011. If all goes well, what's the timeline like for design and construction?

Ybarra: Even if the EIR is complete, going to the design and construction of it, in this economic environment, it really will be a while.

The VTA will probably need and opt to go the design build route, where a construction contractor is hired and in turn hires a designer to design as the construction takes place.

Patch: Will there be a time that Campbell residents have an opportunity to voice their comments, opinion and concerns prior to breaking ground?

Ybarra: Yes. I am sure that VTA will offer opportunities throughout the process for the public to voice their opinions and concerns and have their questions answered.

For more information on the project, visit VTA