United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
High-speed rail gets on track in California
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."
Related News Stories:
Gretchen Kelly
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled