SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – The California High-Speed Rail Authority has settled one of seven environmental lawsuits challenging the route of the $68 billion bullet train through the Central Valley.
Authority spokeswoman Lisa Marie Alley says the settlement announced Friday with the city of Bakersfield calls for officials to consider alternative routes through the Kern County city, and a new location for a Bakersfield train station if a new route is chosen.
Bakersfield city attorney Virginia Gennaro says the authority will study a new route along an existing freight railroad line that would be faster, affect fewer properties, and cost less to build.
The authority's board previously agreed not to build into Bakersfield while negotiations were underway.
Alley says settlement talks have been held with other opponents who filed environmental challenges, without result.
