SAN JOSE, Calif. — California’s high speed rail project took a step toward filling one of the gaps in its route on Thursday, with certification of the environmental impact report for its 90-mile San Jose-Merced segment.
Certification by the California High-Speed Rail Authority board moves the segment closer to being ready for construction when funding is obtained.
“Today’s approval represents another major milestone and brings us one step closer to delivering high-speed rail between the Silicon Valley and the Central Valley,” CEO Brian Kelly said in a press release. “The Authority is poised to make the vision of high-speed rail in the Bay Area a reality. We look forward to continued collaboration with our federal, state and local partners to advance the project in Northern California.”
The certification was the first for the Northern California portion of the project and means about 400 miles of the planned 500-mile LA-San Francisco route has environmental clearance.
Another step closer to joining the civilized world of rail travel.
The longer this takes, the more chance there will be a development that makes this a “white elephant” by the time its done [if it ever is done] or shortly thereafter.
what a fleecing? jus getting around to environmental reports now all ready graffitti on some of the new bridges and cement in the fresno caif arrea of rail
My father attended several of the public hearings on this project back in the ’90’s; and he has been dead since 2003!
Looks like Pacheco Pass will finally get a railroad built through it over 125 years after one was first proposed over it.
That’s going to be one heck of a tunnel under Pacheco Pass.
How many Easter Bunny Eggs for that one?
While I’d love to see it, I’ll probably be nearly dead by the time it opens (and I’m in my 20s…).