Congressional panel slates hearing on California high-speed rail project

The House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials on Thursday will hold a field hearing in Sacramento, California, to review the status of the state's high-speed rail project.

The subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), will also examine the most recent modifications to the project's business plan, which were released in June.

Subcommittee members expect to receive testimony from the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the California High-Speed Rail Peer Review Group, State Senator Andy Vidak, California Assembly Member Adam Gray and the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California.

California voters approved a bond measure in 2008 to help finance what was then estimated to be a $33 billion project that would connect San Francisco to Los Angeles with high-speed rail service. The 2018 business plan now estimates the project's first phase will cost $77 billion to $98 billion, according to a press release issued by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Thursday's hearing will be available for live viewing on the committee's website.