California Gets $3 Billion in Federal Dollars for High-Speed Rail Connecting Los Angeles, San Francisco

Some industry experts argue the funding isn’t enough, after the track for Merced to Bakersfield increased by around $8 billion since last year’s estimate.

Cement is laid on the San Joaquin River viaduct portion of the high-speed rail line being built in Fresno, Calif., on May 8, 2019, amid ongoing construction of the railway in the state's Central and San Joaquin Valleys. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

California is closer to building a high-speed rail that would connect Los Angeles and San Francisco, with $6.1 billion in federal funds recently awarded for two rail projects in the state.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority will receive $3.1 billion for the initial segment connecting the two cities, where a 171-track connecting Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield is underway. Another rail project received $3 billion towards the construction of a track connecting Rancho Cucamonga, about 42 miles east of Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.