On 1 November the California High-Speed Rail Authority released a new business plan that lays the foundation for an economically viable high speed rail system that will create 10,000 jobs in the next five years, and is expected to generate another 1 million jobs moving forward. California’s high speed rail system, the first in the nation, is also expected to reduce carbon emissions by 3 million tons annually.

“We have carefully constructed a business plan that is mindful of the economic and budgetary constraints facing both the state and the (US) nation”, said Authority Board Chairman Thomas J. Umberg. “It will deliver to California and Californians a cost-effective, efficient, and sensible alternative to more highways and increased airport congestion”.

Construction will begin next year with a 130-mile segment stretching from north of Bakersfield to south of Merced. The funding for this piece, which will serve as the “backbone” of the system, has already been identified through federal funds. This initial Central Valley section is expected to create 100,000 jobs in the next five years.

(Source: California High-Speed Rail Authority, website: www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov)