Calif. begins high-speed rail assessment

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is conducting an environmental impact study for its proposed statewide high-speed train. Parsons Transportation Group, Frederic R. Harris and P&D Consultants/DMJM are analyzing how a high-speed system would be built and operated between the Bay Area and Sacramento, Sacramento and Bakersfield and Bakersfield and Los Angeles. The rail authority was budgeted $25 million by the state for a three-year study. Each firm will receive up to $4 million over that period. A team led by Parsons Brinckerhoff will oversee the environmental phase of the project.