California High-Speed Rail has $3.1 billion coming its way, in large part because of Rep. Jim Costa (D–Fresno).
The grant comes from the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program from the 2021 infrastructure law.
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The big picture: Earlier this year Costa, Sen. Alex Padilla, the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D–San Francisco) led California lawmakers in calling on the Department of Transportation to award the grants to High-Speed Rail.
- The $3.1 bill grant will support the final design and right-of-way acquisition for the Merced extension from Madera to Merced, as well as the Bakersfield extension from Poplar Ave. in Shafter to Bakersfield.
- It also will fund civil, track and systems construction for the 13-mil Bakersfield interim extension, design and construction of the Fresno Station, the design and procurement of trainsets and the design and construction of trainset facilities.
What they’re saying: “For decades, I’ve worked to make California’s high-speed rail system a reality,” Costa said. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law I helped pass, we now have significant investment to make major progress. I worked to secure this $3.1 billion federal grant to ensure continued economic growth and investments in California’s San Joaquin Valley. I want to thank President Biden, Governor Newsom, and our partners. We still have much more work to be done.”
