Here comes the bullet train

[Rod Martin]

Settlement reached in Calif. bullet train lawsuit

Published - Apr 18 2013 05:32PM EST

JULIET WILLIAMS, Associated Press


SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A federal oversight panel has ruled that it has jurisdiction over California's high-speed rail project, potentially causing delays and added costs if the state is forced to comply with federal railroad regulations.

But Dan Richard, chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority board, says he's confident the Surface Transportation Board will approve the rail plan's request for an exemption next month.

Thursday's decision comes as the authority settled a lawsuit with Central Valley farmers over their claims that rail planners failed to follow California environmental law.

A Sacramento judge approved the settlement, clearing the last legal hurdle for the $68 billion project to break ground this summer.

It's a significant win for Gov. Jerry Brown and allies of what would be the nation's first high-speed rail system.