San Jose To Bakersfield May Be First Stretch Of California High Speed Rail To Be Built
SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) -- California's high speed rail officials are now considering San Jose to Bakersfield as the first major stretch for service.
That would mean scrapping the current plan that calls for an initial track between Burbank and the central valley.
The LA Times reports that the San Jose to Bakersfield segment would be less costly, because it would not involve expensive tunnels.
The bullet train is already a $68 billion project. Voters approved it in 2008 with a $9 billion bond.
The goal is to take passengers between San Francisco and Los Angeles in two hours and 40 minutes.
The first construction began in the Fresno area in July, more than two years behind schedule.
More information about how practical this new plan is will be available within a few weeks, when the state unveils its new business plan for the project.
It will be the most comprehensive update on high speed rail in four years.
