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.
The L.A.-Bound Bullet Train's First Bridge is Now Being Built
The high-speed rail designed to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco may be heading south faster than opponents would like, as construction on the bullet train's first bridge began today.
Crews started working today on a viaduct that will span the length of the Fresno River in Madera County, and will help the high-speed train make the projected two and a half hour ride from L.A. to S.F. The bridge is part of a 29-mile construction zone, which will also include two more viaducts and 12 grade separations, according to the L.A. Times. Of course, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has yet to choose a contractor to build the actual track and electrical systems needed, but, hey, those are just details, right?
And while construction is underway now for the bridge, the project still faces some major budget issues—in addition to vocal opposition in L.A. and other communities along the projected route. At this point the project has about $26 billion in potential state and federal funding over the next 14 years, but that's considered only half the amount of money needed to complete the 500-mile route.
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
