U.S. Rep. Jim Costa, pictured, will announce legislation that calls for federal funding for the completion of California’s high-speed rail project.Photo – Jim Costa Twitter
U.S. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) tomorrow will announce legislation that calls for federal funding for the completion of California’s high-speed rail project, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) announced yesterday.
Costa is scheduled to hold a press conference where he will unveil the High-Speed Rail Corridor Development Act of 2020, which calls for providing $32 billion to fund projects in federally designated high-speed rail corridors. The bill would directly assist in funding needed to complete California's project to San Francisco to Los Angeles via the San Joaquin Valley.
Last week, CHSRA published a draft of its 2020 business plan, which summarizes the authority’s progress on building an electrified high-speed rail system to connect Northern and Southern California through the Central Valley.
Between now and 2030, the authority has a budget of $20.6 billion to $23.4 billion to advance the program, according to the draft business plan.
During that time period, CHSRA is committed to completing and expanding the 119-mile Central Valley construction segment; testing electrified high-speed trains by 2025 and putting them in service by 2028; environmentally clearing all segments of the Phase 1 system between San Francisco and Los Angeles/Anaheim; completing projects in Los Angeles and the Bay Area; and pursuing additional funding opportunities.
The plan includes updated capital costs, ridership and revenue forecasts and a project progress report. To view the plan, click here.
CHSRA will accept public comment on the plan until April 12. Following the comment period, the authority will submit a final business plan to the California Legislature.
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