High-Speed Rail May Be On Hold

The future of a $26 billion high-speed rail project, which would link Sacramento, the Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego, is in jeopardy. To date, California lawmakers have allocated $5 million to fund three environmental reviews required for the project. Now the high-speed rail board is asking for an additional $14 million for the roposed 700-mile system. But with kyrocketing energy prices and a eclining economy, state lawmakers will e cutting at least $1.5 billion rom initial budget proposals. Some policy akers predict the cuts could each $6 billion in 2002-2003. High-speed rail supporters fear that the project will be cut back or dropped in order to save money. Some officials expect that a high-speed rail system will have to be built sooner or later to relieve airport and freeway congestion.

Thanks to California 2000 Project