California’s Democrat-controlled Senate voted on June 6 to approve the first $8 billion of a $69 billion high-speed rail project connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco. The bill passed by one vote.
State legislators have the nod to start offering $4.5 billion in voter-approved bonds to fund an initial 130-mile stretch of the proposed line in the Central Valley. It also allocates $1.9 billion in bonds for regional rail upgrades in both Northern and Southern California. These include electrifying the San-Jose-San Francisco commuter line, Caltrain as well as strengthening commuter lines in Southern California.
US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood affirmed the government’s support of high-speed rail. He wrote on his blog: "In the next 20 years, California expects more than 7 million additional residents. But, as the state’s residents know all too well, the highways between California cities are already congested, and short-haul takeoff and landing slots at Golden State airports are at a premium.
"That’s why California High Speed Rail remains such an important priority for the state’s business, labor, and transportation communities."
