SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- In a one-two boost for development of a high-speed train network in California, Governor Gray Davis has approved the funding to complete the system's environmental clearance report and has appointed two members to the High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) Board.

In yesterday's budget unveiling, the Governor allocated a total of $8.46 million for the 2002-03 fiscal year, which combined with $1.25 million in a federal appropriation HSRA received last month, makes it possible for HSRA to complete a program-level state and federal environmental clearance (EIR/EIS) report by June 30, 2003.

“The Governor's commitment to finalizing this first and essential step toward the construction of the high-speed rail system, especially within a challenging economic environment, shows true vision and conviction and is encouraging for Californians desperate for reliable and safe transportation options,” said Rod Diridon, HSRA chair.

“His actions remind me of those of Governors Warren and Pat Brown who had the courage to lay the foundation for the great state we enjoy today,” said Diridon.

Diridon also commended the Governor's appointment of two prominent Californians to the nine-member HSRA board, Dr. Ernest A. Bates and Joseph E. Petrillo. Dr. Bates, a former Senate appointee to the HSRA board, is CEO of American Shared Hospital Services in San Francisco. Mr. Petrillo is a partner in the San Francisco law office of Sheppard Mullin Richter and Hampton.

These actions, said Diridon, build on the Governor's consistent support for high-speed train route planning since the beginning of his administration, which included signing of legislation to continue the work of the Authority and to provide funding within the last two budget cycles to initiate and continue work on the EIR/EIS.

“We recognize that the Governor is a fiscal conservative and we are pleased that he has enough confidence in this project to assign important individuals to serve as his representatives and to provide us with the money we need at this time to carry out our responsibility,” said Diridon.

“The work of HSRA will prove to be critical as Californians and its leaders seek options for meeting the increased demand for safe and efficient ways to travel throughout the state. We're using groundbreaking engineering technology and have some of the best minds on this project to ensure that California's high-speed train network is the absolute best it can be for Californians.”

With the Governor's budget allocation, the Authority expects to complete the draft environmental clearance report for the entire 700-mile system by June 2003. Once finalized, the next step will be to identify specific corridor alignments for construction and begin project-specific environmental clearance reviews.

At this time there are a total of nine corridor alignment options connecting San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, the Central Valley, Inland Empire and San Diego. Details about the alignments can be found on the HSRA web site: www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.