Delta Twin Tunnel Project Flowing Towards Approval
California Gov. Jerry Brown’s controversial water-diversion project in Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta area was given the green light by federal wildlife agencies as the state continues to seek required permits that are critical to starting construction on the project. The $17-billion plan would build two massive, 35-mile-long tunnels under the delta that moves water from… Read more »
Environmental Challenge to the Mid County Parkway Project Rejected
Environmental challenges filed against the Mid County Parkway, a proposed 16-mile freeway project that would link Perris and San Jacinto, have been denied by a federal judge. United States District Judge George Wu rejected the legal challenge filed by environmental groups under the National Environmental Policy Act. The lawsuit was filed by environmental groups… Read more »
The California High Speed Train Keeps on Rollin’
For the second time, a Sacramento County Superior judge has kept the high speed rail project from being derailed. Judge Raymond Cadei denied a preliminary injunction — after denying a temporary restraining order (TRO) one month earlier — that would have blocked the state from spending nearly $1.25 billion of recently authorized bond funding to… Read more »
California Continues to Fund High Speed Rail After Fed’s Decision to Hold
The Federal Transit Administration’s decision to halt the funding ($647 million) for the electrification of the Caltrain — a key part of extending California’s high speed rail to the Bay area — didn’t stop the rail authority. Even though the FTA stated they needed “additional time to complete review of this significant commitment to Federal… Read more »
Is High Speed Rail Back On Track?
A Sacramento County Superior judge rejected the latest attempt to derail the high-speed rail project. Judge Raymond Cadei rejected a temporary restraining order intended to stop the sale of bonds until a court could rule on whether spending it would violate Proposition 1A. The lawsuit challenged the constitutionality of AB1889 — a last-minute piece… Read more »
Feds Put High-Speed Rail Project on Shaky Ground
A $647 million grant to help modernize and electrify the Caltrain, which is considered a key part of extending California’s high-speed rail to the Bay area, has been halted by the Federal Transit Administration — and in the process killed any chance of the high-speed rail coming to San Francisco anytime soon. In a… Read more »
California High Speed Rail Authority Moving Forward in Los Angeles
Despite continued efforts to derail the bullet train and the decision to build the train to San Jose first, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has been authorized to acquire its first two pieces of property in downtown Los Angeles. Last Friday, the state Public Works Board, which oversees the acquisition of property and fiscal… Read more »
Los Angeles River Revitalization Moves Forward With Crucial Land Purchase
In an effort to restore an 11-mile stretch of the Los Angeles River, the L.A. City Council voted, unanimously, to close escrow on a 42-acre rail yard, known as G2 plot, for $59.3 million. Mayor Eric Garcetti believes the land is the crown jewel in their plan to enliven the Los Angeles River. The… Read more »
California’s Bullet Train May Cost Much More Than Originally Planned
A confidential report obtained by The Times shows that California’s bullet train is seven years behind schedule and may cost taxpayers 50% more than estimated. The report projects that the first 118-mile segment through Central Valley, which was supposed to be the easiest part of the route between L.A. and San Francisco, could cost $9.5… Read more »
California High Speed Rail Rejected for $15 Billion Loan
The California High-Speed Rail Authority can’t seem to solve their most pressing problem, one that has hung over them since the conception of the project. The state doesn’t know where to find all of the $64-billion it will cost to complete the bullet train that will run from San Francisco to Los Angeles. So,… Read more »