California is getting closer than ever to initiating the starter section of its high-speed rail line. The state has allocated $4.2 billion in the annual budget towards the program, putting it closer to the finish line. This will be a major feat for transportation in California, as well as nationally. The high-speed rail line has been in the works for many years, and it’s great to see that it is finally coming to fruition.
The latest round of funding would create a nearly 300 km section of rail line linking Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. The original plan was crafted in 2009 and has since received funding through the infrastructure program.
Rolling stock and railway systems were procured in February, and the construction is now underway at multiple points along the line.
This project will be a major boon for the state of California, providing much-needed relief for traffic congestion. It will also create jobs and spur economic growth. Once completed, the high-speed rail line will be a key part of California’s transportation network.
High-speed trains would take an ‘interim station’ at 4th & King streets in San Francisco under the EIS until a connection to Salesforce Transit Center, the proposed terminus is built. At Millbrae, passengers bound for SFO could connect via BART metro services. Both of these existing Caltrain stations will be rebuilt and expanded to accommodate HSR passengers.
While the completed lines may take years of development, this could be a huge boon for the economic prosperity of the region as well as for improving environmental standards across California. As the trains will be running on electric power, the lines will cut out a massive amount of emissions from daily commuters along the route. As well as bringing in jobs for the area, this is an excellent boost to the future environmental efforts of California.
For nearly half a century, Swartz Engineering has been at the forefront of industry safety. They are a family-owned company specializing in power distribution for the electrical industry. They are the leading manufacturer of mobile substation.
