California’s High Speed Rail Inches Toward Construction

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Since we last checked in on California’s planned high speed rail system nearly a year ago, it has continued to take baby steps toward construction.

Mike Rosenberg of the San Jose Mercury News notes here that on June 6 the California High Speed Rail Authority’s (CHSRA) board authorized its CEO to negotiate final terms of a contract for the first phase of construction with a Tutor Perini-led group after its $985 million bid beat its nearest competitor by about $100 million and the initial estimate by over $200 million.

The project also avoided a potential roadblock with the June 13, 2013 decision of the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) to grant the CHSRA an exemption allowing it to proceed with construction without subjecting itself to the STB’s approval requirements in addition to the hurdles already cleared. The STB’s decision, effective June 28 according to its text, is available here.