Final CA HSR Package Buys Partners Throughout the State

Although the first segment of the state's recently approved high-speed rail line terminates in California's Central Valley, a significant portion of the initial funding will go to improving rail lines from San Diego to San Francisco.

2 minute read

July 22, 2012, 1:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


There's little question that the $1.9 billion being allocated to existing commuter rail systems across California (out of the initial $8 billion funding) is integral to the long-range completion and integration of the state's proposed $68 billion high-speed rail project. But to read the list of improvements being made in legislative districts across the state, many far from the Central Valley, clearly demonstrates how the tracks were greased, so to speak, for HSR's narrow legislative approval.  

Julie Small, writing for KPCC, has a partial accounting of the $1 billion that will go to rail and subway systems in Southern California, which she notes, "was
key to winning votes in the legislature for the bonds." The list of notable projects includes: correcting Union Station's "hub in" design, existing track improvements and grade separations, Positive Train Control (PTC) technology for Metrolink's Antelope Valley line, and downtown L.A.'s Regional Connector Transit Corridor. 

"The expansion of Union Station, the commuter rail enhancements and
the regional connector are some of the really, really big projects," writes Small.
"Sharon Neely with the Southern California Association of Governments
also negotiated for $500 million in high-speed funds for dozens of
smaller projects throughout the region."

"We covered every agency between San Diego and the connection to the
Central Valley for Southern California." Neely says, "So everybody that
needs to be a partner to this is a partner."

Monday, July 16, 2012 in KPCC

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight