Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Amid growing criticism of the project, the California High-Speed Rail Authority's Chairman of the Board Thomas J. Umberg announced the resignation of CEO Roelof van Ark, effective in two months.

Initial construction in the Central Valley will begin next fall, upon completion of the environmental process. With an estimated value of $1.5 billion to $2 billion, this large design-build construction contract will be placed before the end of 2012.

Building the line is expected to cost $3.8 billion to $6.9 billion between Merced and Fresno, depending on which route is chosen, according to an environmental impact report released by the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

The funds secured in the agreement were a portion of the May 2011 award, which was the re-allocation of funding from Florida. This amends a previous agreement signed in December 2010.

Issues a "request for expressions of interest" as a first step in the procurement process that will award contracts for the first $5.5 billion in construction and ultimately for the design and construction of the entire system, its trainsets, and its operations and maintenance.

Of the $8.9 million in payments reviewed, about 38 percent, was paid out without records showing how many hours the consultants had worked. Still, management has improved under new Chief Executive Roelof van Ark.

Roelof van Ark, who currently serves as president of Alstom Transportation, will make $375,000, making him one of state government's highest paid non-university workers.