SACRAMENTO — The U.S. Department of Transportation gave its approval Friday for work to begin on the second leg of California’s proposed $68 billion high-speed rail line, endorsing the state’s environmental review for the section running between Fresno and Bakersfield.
The decision allows the state to begin acquiring land along the 114-mile route, although the state is still waiting for approval from the federal Surface Transportation Board before it can begin construction on this segment.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority asked the board to issue a decision by the end of the summer.
Friday’s announcement was expected, but it is “another sign that we’re moving in the right direction,” rail authority spokeswoman Lisa-Marie Alley said...