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 »
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 »
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 »
Billions to Be Unlocked After Approval By The High Speed Rail Board
Through a unanimous decision, the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s board, approved to unlock billions of dollars in state bonds funds that it needs to continue construction in the Central Valley and San Francisco-San Jose segments. The board approved $3.2 billion in funding from the nearly $10 billion that voters approved for a California high-speed… Read more »
Proposition 53 Threatens Major California Projects, Including High Speed Rail
The political arena in California heated up over the last week as Gov. Gerry Brown stepped up his campaign against Proposition 53, which will be on the Nov. 8 ballot. Dean Cortopassi, a wealthy Central Valley farmer and tomato cannery owner, contends that proposition 53 is necessary because politicians refuse to either fully disclose or… Read more »
A California Bill Just Made Using Eminent Domain Easier
Only four years after signing legislation to dissolve more than 400 redevelopment agencies, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill — AB 24942 — that just made it easier for local government to seize homes and small businesses. This recent legislation will move California closer to the old Kelo-style laws that ignited a political firestorm. Redevelopment… Read more »
California Supreme Court Restores Public Agencies’ Ability to Conduct Surveys Without First Filing Eminent Domain
On Thursday of last week, the California Supreme Court in the case Property Reserve, Inc. v. Superior Court of San Joaquin County ruled that government officials don’t need to go through a formal eminent domain process before they can survey private property. This decision reverses the ruling made by the Court of Appeal, which concluded… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: Initial Segment of High Speed Rail Reduced by 8 Miles
A settlement agreement between the City of Bakersfield and California High Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”) has resulted in an eight mile reduction of the initial 130-mile segment of the high speed rail in part of the Central Valley. Last December, CHSRA and the City of Bakersfield settled a lawsuit brought by Bakersfield city officials concerning… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: CHSRA’s Proposed Palmdale to Burbank Routes Get Opposition from Southern California Cities and Residents
Opposition to the California High Speed Rail project is growing as Southern Californians’ concerns appear to be increasing over the proposed routes for the $68 billion bullet train’s Palmdale to Burbank segment. Approximately 300 city officials and residents from various Southern California cities attended California High Speed Rail Authority’s (“CHSRA”) Board meeting on Tuesday in… Read more »