Despite numerous legal and legislative setbacks in the last few months, the California High Speed Rail Authority has released a new business plan—the first update of the controversial plan since 2012.

Last week, the California High-Speed Rail Authority issued the 101-page draft of its 2014 Business Plan. The plan will be available for public comment for two months before a final version is submitted to the California State Legislature on May 1.
According to a report by Tim Sheehan, the new business plan “estimates the construction cost for Phase 1 of the statewide project from San Francisco to Los Angeles at about $67.6 billion.”
The new cost marks a slight decrease from the most recent, prior estimates: “The new forecast is down slightly from $68.4 billion estimated in 2012, but still more than double the $33 billion predicted in 2008 when California voters approved Proposition 1A, a $9.9 billion bond measure to help finance high-speed rail planning and construction.”
Added to what appears to be forward motion for the project, Tom Zoellner also recently penned an op-ed asking California not to give up on the idea—with some stipulations.
FULL STORY: Public gets first crack at new high-speed rail business plan

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
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Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

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