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Trump Administration Approves $650 Million For Caltrain Electrification

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF/AP) -- The Trump administration has agreed to fully fund a $650 million federal grant for electrification of the Caltrain system that would also help California's high-speed rail project.

The Federal Transit Administration announced its decision on the Caltrain funding request Monday. California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, both Democrats, quickly celebrated the decision.

The Trump administration had previously delayed a decision on the grant request after congressional Republicans pushed the administration to reject it.

They asked the Transportation Department to block approval of the grant to electrify Caltrain between San Jose and San Francisco until an audit of the bullet train's finances is completed.

California's $64 billion high-speed rail project would share the electrified tracks through the South San Francisco Bay Area when it is completed.

Shovels could be in the ground as early as June.

TM and © Copyright 2017 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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