Land Needed For High Speed Rail

Sacramento, CA — California has purchased only 122 of the 540 parcels needed to construct the first leg of the high-speed rail project.

The Associated Press reports the state is a year behind schedule when it comes to acquiring the needed land for the first 29-mile stretch. High Speed Rail officials are going before a state panel later today in hopes of starting the eminent domain proceedings for an additional 31 properties in Fresno and Madera Counties. 104 parcels have already been approved for eminent domain, but the state has not yet moved forward on actually seizing the land. The process has been slowed due to litigation, and political opposition.

Last month, Governor Jerry Brown and other government leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony for the bullet train project. Upon completion, it would connect the major population centers in the state.