San Francisco’s Transbay Terminal, still under construction, is a several-blocks-long building that will incorporate a large space underneath in anticipation of the future arrival of the high-speed train. The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), with a super-cool roof, was recently completed. Meanwhile, future system stations are being prepared in Anaheim and San Francisco. One of those lawsuits, with the city of Bakersfield, was settled a few days after the federal ruling, with both parties agreeing to work together to find a locally preferred route but with the state agency retaining sole authority over deciding on the alignment. Several lawsuits against the project were relying on CEQA. In December, a federal panel of the Surface Transportation Board ruled that its previous approval of the Fresno to Bakersfield segment preempts California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Routes are still in contention, land needs to be acquired, and several lawsuits are pending. “But don’t worry, we’re going to get it.”įunding isn’t the only issue holding back the project. “I’m not sure where the hell we’re going to get the rest of the money,” he joked. He also acknowledged the current multi-billion-dollar gap in funding needed to complete the project. ![]() I’m working out, I’m eating my vegetables. “If it seems a long time to you,” Brown said to the college students lined up behind him, “I’ll be 92 in 2030. “I’m setting these goals now for 2030, and I’m doing everything I can to make sure we get there.” A contract for the second construction phase should be signed in the next few weeks, but other construction work is still in planning stages.īrown acknowledged the prolonged project timeline. The next two construction phases will extend the rail line south towards Kern County, but will not reach as far as Bakersfield. “All those projects were a little bit touch-and-go,” he said.ĭespite the joyful faces and rousing speeches, it will be many years before anyone gets to ride high-speed rail in California. He compared building high-speed rail with other large projects that have met with opposition, like the Central Valley Water Project, the Golden Gate Bridge, and BART. You’ve got to put the building trades people to work.” “You’ve got to get something in the ground. In his speech Governor Brown addressed project criticisms, saying it is necessary to be critiqued to build a better project. However, pre-construction activities have been underway, including archaeological and geotechnical preparation work. It was largely ceremonial, as actual construction may not start until April. Today’s groundbreaking was held at the site of the future downtown Fresno high-speed rail station. The first construction phase ends at Avenue 17, just south of Avenue 19 1/2. Route of high-speed rail between Madera and Fresno. It includes two viaducts, a trench in downtown Fresno, and twelve grade separations-most of them lifting existing roads over the at-grade tracks. The first section of track to be constructed will run 29 miles between Fresno and the town of Madera to the north. comes close, getting up to 150 miles per hour on some sections. ![]() That depends on how you define it, though Amtrak’s Acela Express service between Boston and D.C. It also puts California on track to be the first state in the nation to build high-speed rail. The ceremony, featuring a speech by Governor Jerry Brown, marks the official beginning of construction on the long-awaited train. Photo by Alex Brideau IIIĬalifornia signaled its commitment to high-speed rail with a groundbreaking today in Fresno. At today’s groundbreaking in Fresno, Governor Jerry Brown celebrates construction of California’s High-Speed Rail.
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