California High-Speed Rail

Schedule Slippage Casts Doubts on CA High-Speed Rail

With fantasies of a Hyperloop suddenly offering a tantalizing, albeit far-fetched, alternative to the $68-billion project, CA's high-speed rail has apparently encountered more schedule slippage. The delay could cause more obstacles for the project.

August 13, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Hyperloop = Hyperlame?

Last week we looked at the dangers of focusing on transportation fantasies. But alas, entrepreneur Elon Musk's vision for a "fifth form" of transportation is here and we just can't help ourselves.

August 13, 2013 - Bloomberg BusinessWeek

Is CA High-Speed Rail Stalling the Federal Rail Program?

House Republicans object to further funding of the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program - largely due to California's expectation to receive $42 billion in federal funding - yet less ambitious projects have shown much promise.

May 8, 2013 - Governing Magazine

For L.A.'s Union Station, Designers Aim for the Extraordinary

The consultants developing a master plan for L.A.'s historic Union Station have unveiled four design concepts for the station that seek to accomodate high speed rail and improve passenger amenities.

May 3, 2013 - Daily News Los Angeles

CA High-Speed Rail Builder Selected: Will Low Cost Equal Low Quality?

The builder of the first phase of California's high-speed rail project has been selected after a competitive bid process. The winning team had the lowest bid, but also the lowest technical score.

April 20, 2013 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

California Governor Travels Far and Wide in Search of Bullet Train Investors

Although it was initiated long before his current term in office, Governor Jerry Brown has hitched his legacy to moving along California's high-speed rail project. He recently ventured to China in search of funding.

April 13, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

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.

July 22, 2012 - KPCC

CA High Speed Rail Bill is Now Law

In signing ceremonies in both Los Angeles's Union Station and San Francisco's Transbay Terminal (under construction), Gov. Jerry Brown appropriated $4.7 billion in Prop. 1A, 2008 bond funds that will be matched with $3.2 billion in federal HSR funds.

July 20, 2012 - CNN U.S.

Public Sours on California Bullet Train

With Governor Brown and federal leaders pressuring state legislators to approve construction of the key first step in the $68-billion bullet train plan, a new survey from USC and the L.A. Times shows that California voters are backing away.

June 5, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

History Repeats Itself in California Infrastructure Debate

As the Golden Gate Bridge approaches its 75th anniversary, John King pens an incisive comparison between the arguments against the bridge's original construction and those that have challenged subsequent high-profile projects.

May 19, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

High-Speed Train Will Require High-Speed Spending

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.

May 15, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

House to Probe California's High-Speed Rail Project

In their rush to avoid working on a long-term transportation funding measure, a congressional committee has launched a wide-ranging examination of the California high-speed rail project, reports Dan Weikel.

April 10, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Tracking the Good and Bad News on California High-Speed Rail

Dan Walters reported over the weekend that recent efforts to appease various constituencies nervous about CA's HSR plans have paid off with the project likely to get the green light from the Legislature soon. But don't book your tickets just yet.

March 27, 2012 - The Sacramento Bee

Breaking News: Judge Puts Kibosh on California HSR Route

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny ruled against the CA High-Speed Rail Authority in a lawsuit brought on by the cities of Palo Alto, Menlo Park to stop the train running through their communities.

November 11, 2011 - The San Jose Mercury News

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After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

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