3 Firms to Study High-Speed Train Systems

The California High-Speed Rail Authority awarded three contracts for environmental impact reports. Parsons Transportation Group of San Francisco, Frederick R. Harris Inc. of Long Beach and P&D; Consultants/DMJM of Orange will analyze how a high-speed train system could be built and operated between the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, Sacramento and Bakersfield, and Bakersfield and Los Angeles, respectively. The studies will review all aspects of the proposed system, from route alignment to station location to environmental impact on local areas. Each firm will be paid $4 million to complete the studies within three years. The Rail Authority also issued a request for proposals to perform an environmental and engineering analysis of the corridor from Los Angeles to San Diego via the Inland Empire. That contract will be awarded by the end of the year.