Rep. Costa Announces $300 Million for Valley High-Speed Rail

Costa Continues Leading Fight for Additional Funding, Creating Thousands of Jobs

Fresno, CA – After leading the fight for California's high-speed rail system in Congress, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) announced today $300 million in additional federal funding for construction of the nation's first, true high-speed rail system. These funds will extend the track and civil work from Fresno to the "Wye" junction, which will provide a connection to San Jose to the West and Merced to the North.

The funding was made available through the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) High-Speed and Intercity Rail Program. After Florida rejected federal high-speed rail funding, Costa led the fight to redirect this funding to California's high-speed rail system. In April, Costa wrote a letter (attached), signed by 14 other members of Congress, to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood urging support for California's application for Florida's rejected funds.

Costa called the announcement another victory for the Central Valley and another step toward completion of the planned 800-mile system which will connect 80% of California's population.

"High-speed rail in California means one thing: jobs," saidCosta. "This additional $300 million in federal funding will create hundreds of thousands of good jobs and unleash more economic opportunities in the Central Valley. Building a high-speed rail system in California is a marathon, not a sprint, and this announcement is another step toward realizing our vision of the nation's first, true high-speed rail system. We, in the Central Valley, are leading the state in the construction of this system, and California is leading the nation. This announcement is a major victory for our Valley."

Matching funds will be provided through the state bond which Costa originally authored.