If state lawmakers can agree to support matching funds for the project, California's high-speed rail could compete for $36 billion in new federal grants.
The $36 billion in federal high-speed rail grants passed in the infrastructure bill could help California accelerate its high-speed rail project, writes Roger Rudick. "For some perspective on California’s ability to compete for federal high-speed rail funds: in 2009, California’s project was awarded $3.5 billion from an $8 billion federal high-speed rail package. And that was when the project was still just a bunch of blueprints," Rudick says.
The project, currently under construction in California's Central Valley, has faced delays and opposition from lawmakers who disagree with the planned route or want the funds spent on improving local transit instead, obstructing state funding needed to match federal grants. According to Rudick,
That’s why the biggest remaining challenge to completing the project is the Democrat majority state legislature. Assemblymembers Anthony Rendon and Laura Friedman, ironically, don’t seem to want the project to ever reach their own constituents in Los Angeles. Currently, they are holding up over $4 billion in voter-approved bond money for the project, which was allocated by Governor Newsom but rejected by these legislators.
Rudick calls for state legislators to support high-speed rail and release the funds needed to move the project forward, commit to electric trains, and compete for a slice of the new federal funding.
FULL STORY: Feds Pass Downpayment for Next Phase of California High-Speed Rail
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California Assembly Continues to Debate High-Speed Rail
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Recommendations for the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant Program
The Capital Investment Grants program should focus on improving service on heavily-used lines, expanding access to jobs and amenities, and increasing multimodal accessibility.
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The Roadway Expansion Paradox
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The Blue State Problem
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Another Biden COVID Vaccine Mandate on Hold
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Cities Finding Ways to Resist State-Mandated Upzoning
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Water Replenishment District (WRD)
City of Kissimmee
Symbium
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of San Carlos
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Royal Oak, Michigan
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
