High Speed Rail

On Valley Edition: Medical Interpreters; Clinics; Makers Faire; High-Speed Rail

Juanita Stevenson, Rebecca Plevin and Ezra Romero — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:35:23 +0000

This week on Valley Edition we take a look across the region at health issues, innovation, the future of high-speed rail in California and more.

After Delays, High-Speed Rail Project to Start This Summer

Ben Adler — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:00:57 +0000

The opening phase of California’s high-speed rail project is scheduled to break ground this summer – and the project’s CEO is promising no further delays.

But as Ben Adler reports from Sacramento, it’s already behind what Governor Jerry Brown promised just last year.

Brown's Attempted Balancing Act Earns Bipartisan Praise, Criticism

Ben Adler and Amy Quinton — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:06:41 +0000

He quoted Franklin Roosevelt and William Butler Yeats. And he told the stories of Pharaoh and Joseph and the “Little Engine that Could.” Governor Jerry Brown turned to every trick in his book Thursday to push an ambitious agenda in his State of the State address – all while urging fiscal discipline from the Democratic-controlled legislature. We have two reports today from Ben Adler and from Amy Quinton.

Ben Adler on Governor Brown's speech:

High Speed Rail Systems Team Up to Pursue Trains

Amy Quinton — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:12:20 +0000

The California High Speed Rail Authority will work with Amtrak to seek out manufacturers of high speed trains. As Amy Quinton reports from Sacramento, the two systems hope by teaming up they can lower costs.

Amtrak and the California High Speed Rail Authority say by working together they hope to advance high speed projects on both the east and west coast.

Federal Government Approves High Speed Rail Construction Plans

Joe Moore — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 16:20:59 +0000

The federal agency that oversees the nation's railroad system has officially approved plans for the first leg of California's controversial high speed rail system.

The Federal Railroad Administration's approval on Wednesday was a necessary step to allow construction to begin early next year on the Fresno to Merced component of the system.

The approval by the FRA will allow the California High Speed Rail Authority to proceed with purchasing right-of-way from landowners for the system.

Fewer Californians Like High Speed Rail or New Pension Law

Amy Quinton — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:42:11 +0000

A new survey shows that two critical issues in California – pension reform and high speed rail– are not sitting well with voters.

The survey shows that more Californians are opposed to high speed rail and think the recently-signed pension legislation doesn’t do enough to address unfunded costs.

The survey was conducted by the California Business Roundtable and Pepperdine University. It showed that only 39 percent of voters support high speed rail. 43 percent oppose it.

Study Suggests Environmental Benefits From High Speed Rail

Amy Quinton — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 22:31:36 +0000

A new study suggests that the proposed high speed rail project could have big environmental benefits for California.

The study, released by UC Berkeley, compared the future sustainability of high speed rail with plane and car travel. It found a mature high speed rail system would use less energy and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Researchers accounted for more fuel efficient cars and planes in the future. And they looked at different levels of ridership when calculating greenhouse gas emissions.

Governor Brown Signs High Speed Rail Funding Bill

Amy Quinton — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:55:36 +0000

California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that allows initial construction of a high speed train.
Amy Quinton reports from San Francisco.

High speed rail chair promises compensation, better communication for the Valley

Joe Moore — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:45:00 +0000

After years of criticism and skyrocketing cost estimates, California’s plan for high speed rail took a detour earlier this month, with the release of the project’s new business plan. Supporters say the proposal is “better, faster and cheaper” and could save $30 billion when compared to previous cost estimates for the project.

On Quality of Life: High Speed Rail; Hi Tech Jobs

Joe Moore — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:18:24 +0000

Part I: High Speed Rail - As California's high speed rail system inches ever closer to breaking ground in 2012, criticism and opposition to the project is growing on a number of fronts. Valley farmers in Kings County have objected to the proposed alignment of the tracks through farms and dairies near Hanford. The State Senate voted last week to radically remake the High Speed Rail Authority and its board of directors. And in May, the non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office issued a highly critical report of the project and its management.