High Speed Rail Phase Two

A $1.2 billion contract was awarded yesterday to design and build phase two of the California High Speed Rail project.

The California High Speed Rail Authority reports the sixty mile segment will run from Fresno to north of Bakersfield. In addition, a $160-million contract was awarded to PG&E to relocate gas and electricity lines. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in Fresno last week for the first leg of the project. It is expected to take 15-20 years to construct the overall $68-plus-billion project. It will eventually take travelers between Los Angeles and San Francisco within 2 ½ to three hours. The controversial project, supported by Governor Jerry Brown, still faces litigation and opposition from many central valley farmers and landowners.