An additional grant to California of 86.4M will allow engineering and construction funds for 20 additional miles to Merced and Bakersfield along with California and other funds. This will allow construction of the whole ~ 147 miles between Bakersfield - Merced. When completed there may be enough speed increase just from diesel powered locos to decrease the Valley times from 3 to 2 hrs? Once electrification is complete and new HSR equipment is acquired then transit time of 1 hr with all the stops?. Non stops 1/2 hour???.
Construction is still a while before beginning as CA has just released it preliminary enviromental statement [ EIS ]. Formal Comment period thru Sept 30.
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