In November 2006, a public vote on bond financing for a 700-mile high-speed train network will come before the people of California. If approved by the voters, construction on such a train could begin in 2008. Going 220 mph, the train will take passengers from San Francisco to LA in less than an amazing 2 and 1/2 hours.
According to Joseph Petrillo, board chair of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), "We're on track to build a system that will carry up to 68 million passengers by 2020. In addition to relieving our overburdened freeways and airports, the high-speed train system will be a shot in the arm for the state's economy. It will create hundreds of thousands of contruction jobs and once completed will allow California businesses to move goods and services more efficiently. The bond measure also will infuse local economies by providing $1 billion in funding for improvements to local transit that will connect to the state-wide system."
The first phase of the high-speed rail system will link San Francisco, Fresno and Los Angeles, with future extensions going to Sacramento and San Diego. For more information click here.