One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Going Nowhere Fast: 1st Leg of High Speed Rail Approved
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.
Connecting Borden and Corcoran with stops in Fresno and Hanford, supporters of the costly rail project in the Central Valley are happy to have the first segment in their region, hoping the jobs and $4.15 billion price tag will help revive their sagging local economy.
As part of the rail segment, "tracks, station platforms, bridges and viaducts," must be built. "The initial section, however, will not be equipped with maintenance facilities, locomotives, passenger cars or an electrical system necessary to power high-speed trains."
While ultimately the ambitious project will link Anaheim to San Francisco, supporters wish to silence critics by reminding them that such a project must be done in segments. However, with funding for those other segments still uncertain, some disapprove of starting the project in a less urban area. Also, it's not clear how long the tracks will sit unused.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
