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Podcasts Take Two
After long delays, California breaks ground on nation's first bullet train
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Jan 6, 2015
Listen • 5:06
After long delays, California breaks ground on nation's first bullet train
Construction of high-speed rail has been delayed for years. Now, one day after Jerry Brown’s 4th gubernatorial inauguration, CA finally breaks ground on the train.
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 18: California Gov. Jerry Brown surrounded by construction workers and elected officials speaks after signing a legislation authorizing initial construction of California's $68 billion high-speed rail line with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (L) and state and city officials looking at Union Station on July 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The bill authorizes $10 billion in state bonds to start construction of a high-speed rail line between Los Angeles and San Francisco. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 18: California Gov. Jerry Brown surrounded by construction workers and elected officials speaks after signing a legislation authorizing initial construction of California's $68 billion high-speed rail line with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (L) and state and city officials looking at Union Station on July 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. The bill authorizes $10 billion in state bonds to start construction of a high-speed rail line between Los Angeles and San Francisco. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
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Construction of high-speed rail has been delayed for years. Now, one day after Jerry Brown’s 4th gubernatorial inauguration, CA finally breaks ground on the train.

Governor Jerry Brown was in a celebratory, even boastful mood as he gave his annual State of the State address Monday. Addressing the legislature after swearing in for his fourth term as California’s governor, Brown listed education and conservation among his areas of achievement.

He also mentioned one project he’s particularly proud of – the $68 billion bullet train from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

But construction of the nation’s first high-speed rail system has been hampered by delays and legal disputes. Now, one day after Brown’s fourth and final gubernatorial inauguration, California finally breaks ground on the the bullet train in Fresno.

Reporter Tim Sheehan has covers California’s high-speed rail project for the Fresno Bee. He toured some of the future rail sites Tuesday morning and he joined Take Two to discuss the long-awaited groundbreaking.