By refusing federal stimulus funds for high speed rail projects in their states, incoming Republican governors in Midwest gifted California over $600 million in new funding for the state's planned 800-mile network, says the Fresno Bee.
The Federal Railroad Administration recently announced that more than half of the $1.2 billion originally slated for Ohio and Wisconsin projects would be reallocated to California. The new funds could increase the length of the initial segment of the project from 65-miles to as much as 123 miles, running from Madera to Bakersfield, reports the Fresno Bee. With construction is scheduled to begin in 2012, officials estimate the project will generate 80,000 temporary construction jobs and 1,500 permanent positions.
High speed rail is a potential economic development "game-changer" that California should continue to embrace even as other states remain wary, the editorial board writes:
"High-speed rail is the most promising public-works project to come along in decades. It not only will create high-paying jobs, but will also transport people around the state efficiently and help improve air quality. California's high-speed rail leaders have been steadily moving forward while many other states act as if high-speed rail is an untried technology. Europe and Japan have been using it for years. As Californians, we are delighted to show the way in this country."
Read the full story: Editorial: Rail Funding a Gift from Ohio and Wisconsin
Environmental Review Complete for Key Northern California Section of High-Speed Rail Project
The San Jose to Merced Project Section Final Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Impact Statement could be approved by April 21.
Yes, Trump Can Recoup the $3.5 Billion Awarded to California High-Speed Rail
The beleaguered project is still very much alive, despite some media claims to the contrary. As for the Trump administration's claim to two grants awarded to the now-$77 billion project, the state has a deadline to meet if it wants to keep them.
FresYes: How Fresno Fueled and Funded a Comeback
Recently termed-out Mayor Ashley Swearengin sits down for an exclusive interview about how she planned for high speed rail investments, championed sustainable water management, and took steps to rebuild the local economy.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
This road in NYC is infamously dangerous — and Mamdani can't fix it
New York City's Ocean Parkway is known for reckless driving, but the power to implement safety measures lies with the state rather than the city.
One of Denver’s busiest corridors to gain BRT
The project will span 18 miles and contain 74 bus rapid transit stations.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority