California High-Speed Rail - History

History

The cost of the initial San Francisco-to-Anaheim segment was originally estimated by the CHSRA to be $35.7 billion (2009) / $38.7 billion (2012) / $42.5 billion (YOE), but a revised business plan released in November 2011 by the CHSRA put the cost at $65.4 billion (2010) / $69.7 billion (2012) / $98.5 billion (YOE). The latest plan has revised the costs down to $53.4 billion (2011) / $55.2 billion (2012) / $68.4 billion (YOE). An implementation plan approved in August 2005 estimated that it would take eight to eleven years to "develop and begin operation of an initial segment of the California high-speed train." It would have also shared tracks with Caltrain and Metrolink using a quadruple track configuration.

On December 2, 2010, the CHSRA board voted to begin construction on the first 54 mi (87 km) of the system 3 mi (4.8 km) south of Madera at Borden, and continue through downtown Fresno to Corcoran. On December 20, 2010, with the infusion of an additional $616 million in federal funds reallocated from states that canceled their high-speed rail plans, the initial segment of construction was extended to Bakersfield. Another $300 million was reallocated on May 9, 2011, extending the funded portion north to the future Chowchilla Wye, so that the train can be turned. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2013.

In September 2012, the Obama administration gave California's high speed rail project the green light. President Obama put the project on a fast track. President Obama's plan would streamline the permitting process for the 114 mile section of the project which starts just North of Fresno in Madera County and runs South to Bakersfield. The White House says it will shave six months off the construction time.