The birthplace of cruising and Grease-like fascination for all things with four-wheeled, Los Angeles has become synonymous with its cars and freeways. But what if the roads could become a little less congested and the commute a little less frustrating? more ›

In a unanimously vote on Monday, officials decided to nearly double in length the first segment of California’s planned high-speed rail line to curb concern that the initial route would not reach major population centers in the Central Valley, reports The Signal. At an additional cost of $616 million in federal funding, the rail segment will now be extended to Bakersfield. more ›

As expected, the California High-Speed Rail Authority board approved a 65-mile section in the Central Valley as the first leg in the state's massive project, according to LA Now. However, the remote location, and the fact that the line would not actually run trains until more segments of the system are built, have some calling this a train to nowhere. more ›

Federal officials today told California that it wants the $4.3 billion it has given to the state for high speed rail to be spent in one of two Central Valley segments -- either the Merced-to-Fresno or the Fresno-to-Bakersfield portion of the $43 billion project. more ›

Before Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves office this year, he'd like to leave a legacy and one that isn't poisoned by that "deficit" word. Too late on that one. He could, however, leave somewhat of a mark on the development of high speed rail. At the very least, he's trying really hard. more ›

Officials with California's High Speed Rail Authority recently held community open houses for the L.A. to Antelope Valley section of the route to give updates on the project. Station locations, otherwise known as alternatives, under consideration basically remain the same as before with two in Burbank at the downtown Metrolink station or at San Fernando Blvd. and Ontario St. and three others in the northeast Valley. Only one is expected to be chosen. But when will a decision finally be made? Probably a year from now. The state budget mess means the rail authority cannot begin environmental-impact work until money is approved, according to the Burbank Leader. At this point, those reports are expected to be finished sometime next Summer. more ›

With recently-released proposals showing where tracks could be placed throughout Los Angeles as part of California's high speed rail project, some residents and environmental groups are ready to fight at least one possible route. That's because it could temporarily shut down Los Angeles State Historic Park, one of the few green spaces around downtown, for several years, according to the Downtown News. more ›

The Board overseeing California's 800-mile high speed rail project are scheduled to meet next week and hear reports on possible station locations in the San Fernando Valley. One of the four will eventually be chosen, according to the Glendale News-Press. They are: near the Burbank Airport, in the city of San Fernando, near the Tujunga Wash at Branford Street and near the Pacoima Wash. Specific details are expected to be posted on July 7th or 8th, just prior to the Los Angeles-based meeting (.pdf), according to a high speed rail spokesperson. more ›

The plan in Congress was to put aside $4 billion for high speed rail in 2011 federal appropriations, but it's been cut by 62%, down to $2.5 billion. Tomorrow, a group of Southern California leaders are coming together to rally for that funding restoration. more ›

Earlier plans for the California's High Speed Rail called for two stations in the San Fernando Valley -- one in Sylmar and another in Glendale or Burbank. At first, HSR planners were looking at station locations in downtown Burbank, but city officials there balked, wanting consideration of a station at Burbank Airport. Now it appears planners are all about that airport station as the only station in the Valley, reported the Burbank Leader last week. The news left HSR blogger Robert Cruickshank with many questions, including this one: "Is Burbank Airport equipped to handle the ridership that HSR might bring?" He also noted that the Valley, "with a population of 1.76 million, would seem capable of supporting two stations." more ›

Following Metro's "big-time" unhappiness with high speed rail plans between Anaheim and Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, the rail authority board today voted to take a second look at one of the previously-scrapped routes. At issue was the pushed-aside idea of sharing track used by Metrolink and Amtrak instead of using $2 billion build a new route, which would include condemning hundreds of private properties and razing homes. Now both approaches will be considered. The L.A. to Anaheim segment is expected to be one of the first to open. In all, the first 500-mile system would connect L.A. and San Francisco in under three hours. more ›

One of the first segments to be built in California' 800-mile high speed rail network is the small Los Angeles to Anaheim segment, which is expected to see trains every five minutes. But as with anything in a first-of-its-kind project of this magnitude... more ›

The Infrastructurist today points out a nice historical post on Progressive Fix, which tells us there was a time when we led the world in high speed rail. But that was before we went interstate highway-crazy: "In the period between 1935 and 1950, the 10 fastest scheduled passenger trains in the world were all U.S. streamliners… To operate the Shinkansen, or 'New Trunk Line,' between Tokyo and Osaka, Sogo actively imported technology from America... Remarkably, the U.S. government gave Japan foreign aid - money purportedly going to an underdeveloped country - to build a rail infrastructure far superior to our own." Maybe Japan, with its super fast bullet trains, can lend us a helping hand in return? more ›

Curbed LA, via the Las Vegas Sun, is reporting that the DesertXpress train planned between Las Vegas and Victorville will begin construction this year. This route, if extended from Victorville, would ideally connect with California's High Speed Rail project in Palmdale. Another project also in the works would bring a high speed MagLev train from Vegas to Anaheim. more ›

Burbank officials are at odds with planners of the California High Speed Rail Authority over station locations, finds the Glendale News Press. more ›

Local controversy over high speed rail has been more commonplace in the Bay Area, but some believe that as plans progress in Southern California for the L.A. to Anaheim segment, among others, we'll be hearing more about it. more ›

A Chinese bank is has agreed to loan $7 billion to help build a high speed train between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, according to the Las Vegas Sun, via Curbed LA. That's great, but there are hurdles, including the fact that the line was not funded in the latest round of stimulus money, in which California received $2.25 billion. However, if it does become a reality, Las Vegas will truly become L.A.'s far flung suburb. But, hey, Chinese bankers, what about some funding for the subway to the sea? Huh? more ›

At today's official announcement of high speed rail funds given to various states, including here in California, in Tampa, Florida, President Barack Obama turned to train lover Vice President Joe Biden--he used to ride 250 miles a day--and asked, "Now, Joe, in terms of the high-speed rail here, do you have something specific to say?" more ›

The Obama Administration is set to award California with $2.35 billion in federal passenger rail stimulus funds today, with most all going towards high speed rail. The money is earmarked for four HSR segments--locally to the Los Angeles to Anaheim alignment--and for upgrades to the Pacific Surfliner route between San Diego and San Luis Obispo. more ›

On Monday, the state's Legislative Analyst’s Office released its report on California's planned $42.6-billion state high-speed rail network. Concerns included ridership, income, risk assessment and a backup plan in case ridership can't support operation. more ›

A big false alarm was rung late last week in the form of who was getting money for high speed rail projects around the country. Among the awardees was California, which requested around $4.5 billion for segments include Anaheim to Los Angeles. The source of the rumor was Florida Rep. John Mica who reportedly said his state was one of four to receive a sum of the $8 billion along with California, Texas and the Chicagoland area. more ›

Would you still buy a train ticket or just fly? more ›

A group of municipal associations combined forces last week to advocate for more high speed rail in Western states, announcing the formation of a new high speed rail group called the Western High Speed Rail Alliance. At issue for them is less than enthusiastic vision of high speed rail in the West. In an editorial, the Arizona Republic agrees: "Major Western cities, including Phoenix, were left off the map in federal plans for high-speed rail. Now, five of them are refusing to be overlooked. How preposterous." more ›

Earlier this fall, the House of Representatives allocated $4 billion for High Speed Rail in the 2010 transportation bill. Then along came the Senate with a proposal to cut that to $1.2 billion. That changed yesterday. more ›

This morning, officials from various groups, including two L.A. City Councilmembers, will urge Senator Dianne Feinstein to continue her support and leadership of California's high speed rail proposal and $4 billion in funding designated in the 2010 transportation spending bill. more ›

As part of the proposed network of high speed trains in California, a route from Los Angeles to San Diego could go b-line eastward through into the Inland Empire instead of taking the traditional Amtrak Surfliner route down the coast. Such a trip would take 1 hour and 18 minutes. There are lots of public meetings this month about transit and a series about this project will start up next week. more ›

Last week, after a few rallies throughout the state, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger handed in a grant to the feds, asking for $4.8 billion in stimulus money for California's high speed rail project, which would take passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco in a few hours. Today, that grant drew support from both of California's U.S. Senators and 21 other congressional leaders, including many from Los Angeeles. more ›

Last week the California High-Speed Rail Authority voted to submit a grant application to the federal government, asking for $4.8 billion in stimulus money for a high speed rail line that would connect Los Angeles and San Francisco with a few hours trip. On Friday, that application will be submitted after few rallies across the state, including one in Los Angeles. more ›

With the feds yearning to give away $8 billion in Recovery Act money to states for high-speed train development, California officials today prepared to submit an application asking for more than half of that. more ›

After three decades of dreaming and planning, it looks like the federal government is finally paying attention to an expensive MagLev train line that would carry passengers between Las Vegas and Anaheim at speeds up to 300 miles per hour along the 270-mile route. The Federal Railroad Administration will give $45 million in congressional earmarked dollars to the first phase of the route, which will go from Las Vegas to the state border in Primm, NV, according to the LA Times. more ›