By: Manuel Quinones


California is getting two-and-a-quarter billion dollars – more than any other state. Senator Diane Feinstein says the money will help make one of her dreams for the state come true. She says it will also help create thousands of jobs.

FEINSTEIN: “When I ran for governor in 1990, one of the planks of my platform was a rail spine down California, high speed. Well, it’s now 2010 and finally, finally, finally it’s going to happen.” (:13)

Transportation officials say the first phase will be a system connecting Anaheim and Los Angeles through the Central Valley to San Francisco. The system would later go north to Sacramento and south to San Diego.

Competition for the money was fierce among states. Senator Barbara Boxer says California’s focus on rail helped make the case.

BOXER: “How many states are there where people come forward and say, yes we are going to agree with this vision and approve nearly ten billion dollars in state bonds for high speed rail.” (:13)

California is also getting about 100 million Federal dollars for other rail needs like a track relocation project in Sacramento.


Manuel Quinones reports for Capitol News Connection in Washington, DC.