The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) in the US has unveiled a revised business plan for the high-speed railway line being built in the state.
Under the new plan, overall capital costs of the project are reduced by $3.4bn, from the original $67.6bn to $64.2bn.
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It also provides the path forward for the construction and operation of a section of the high-speed rail programme using existing funds, which will generate revenue within the next ten years.
The Draft 2016 Business Plan for implementing the California High-Speed Rail programme reflects the transition from planning and construction to providing passenger service.
CHSRA chief executive officer Jeff Morales said: "This Draft Business Plan presents a clear path forward within available funding to deliver the system as approved by California voters in 2008.
"By constructing the line between the Silicon Valley and the Central Valley, while also making significant investments in Southern California’s passenger rail systems, high-speed rail service will become a reality in this state in the next ten years at a lower cost than previously estimated."
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By GlobalDataCHSRA has highlighted three objectives to move the high-speed rail programme forward and the draft plan summarises the progress made over the last two years, updates available funding and financing, forecasts ridership, and updates risk management information.
The first objective is to begin high-speed rail passenger service soon in order to bring benefits and generate revenues.
With more than 100 miles of construction in the Central Valley already under way, the CHSRA will bring the line between Silicon Valley and Central Valley into operation in 2025.
The second objective is to make concurrent investments to connect state, regional and local rail systems, while the third is to build additional segments as funding becomes available.
CHSRA is currently seeking public comments on the new plan, as part of a 60-day public comment period that will close on 18 April.
In January, CHSRA identified California Rail Builders as the apparent best value proposer for the design-build services contract for Construction Package 4.
Work on Construction Package 4 will include construction of atgrade, retained fill and aerial sections of the alignment, relocation of four miles of existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks, construction of waterway and wildlife crossings and roadway reconstructions, relocations and closures.
