Guidelines attached to the federal funds intended to help pay for the first phase of California's bullet train will require the fastest rate of transportation construction known in U.S. history, reports Ralph Vartabedian.
"The bullet train track through the Central Valley would cost $6 billion
and have to be completed by September 2017, or else potentially lose
some of its federal funding. It would mean spending as much as $3.5
million every calendar day, holidays and weekends included - the fastest
rate of transportation construction known in U.S. history, according to
industry and academic experts," writes Vartabedian.
To put that rate of spending into context, Vartabedian reports that other oft-cited examples of agreesive construction - the new Bay Bridge in Oakland and the Alameda Corridor freight rail line in Los Angeles - only managed to burn through $1.8 million per day.
"If the rail authority runs into technical problems, legal disputes,
permit delays or political roadblocks, it could end up building less
track and potentially leave an uncompleted project, according to
warnings contained in its own business plan. If the project blows past
the federal deadline, for example, the flow of money could be stopped.
And the scramble to meet that deadline could lead to construction
problems and drive up costs."
FULL STORY: High-speed spending: Bullet train may need $3.5 million a day
Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR
The President has targeted federal funding for the California bullet train project since his first administration.
HSR Reaches Key Settlement in Northern California City
The state’s high-speed rail authority reached an agreement with Millbrae, a key city on the train’s proposed route to San Francisco.
Federal Funding for California High-Speed Rail Under Review
USDOT says it will evaluate the funding currently committed to the construction of California’s high-speed rail project, which has run years behind schedule and billions over its projected budget.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.
Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.
Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions