"On December 19, CAHSRA released a request for proposals inviting private firms to partner with the state, building on roughly $1 billion a year in guaranteed state funding. Authority CEO Ian Choudri said interest from the private sector "is strong and continues to grow," arguing that partnerships could help deliver the system "faster, smarter, and more economically." Construction today is concentrated in the Central Valley - between Merced and Bakersfield."
"To move beyond the Central Valley, however, the authority will need a change in state law to shift construction priorities-another reminder that politics, not engineering, remains one of the project's biggest obstacles. Reports indicate as many as 30 potential investors have expressed interest, with talks focused on long-term arrangements covering financing, operations, and maintenance. The pivot reflects a broader reality: after federal funding was pulled, California was left scrambling to assemble a funding plan that can carry the project to completion."
California High-Speed Rail Authority opened a request for private partnerships and invited private firms to help finish and operate the system, leveraging roughly $1 billion per year in guaranteed state funding. Authority leadership said private interest is strong and could deliver the system faster and more economically. Construction is concentrated in the Central Valley between Merced and Bakersfield, with environmental clearance secured for extensions to the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Moving beyond the Central Valley requires a change in state law to shift construction priorities. Reports indicate around 30 potential investors, with talks covering long-term financing, operations, and maintenance. California dropped its lawsuit challenging federal grant clawbacks.
Read at Streetsblog
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]