Finally, – The California High-Speed Rail Authority will join government, community, transportation, business and labor leaders on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 to commemorate the start of sustained construction on the nation’s first high-speed rail system at a ceremonial groundbreaking in Fresno.
The authority awarded the joint venture Tutor Perini/Zachry/Parsons a $1 billion contract to build the initial link from Madera to Fresno.
Officials hoped to break ground last summer on what would be the nation's first high-speed rail system but public support has dwindled in recent years as the project's costs have soared.
According to the future plans, the bullet train will run from San Francisco to the Los Angeles basin in under three hours by 2029, at speeds capable of over 200 miles per hour. The system will eventually extend to Sacramento and San Diego, totaling 800 miles with up to 24 stations.
