FRA OKs California high-speed rail environmental review

California officials announced yesterday they've received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to complete environmental reviews of the first phase of the state's high-speed rail project. 

Under a National Environmental Policy Act assignment from the FRA, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is now responsible for approving the project's environmental documents , authority officials said in a press release.

The announcement allows the CHSRA to continue construction of the high-speed rail system in California's Central Valley, and finalize route decisions, meet federal grant commitments and maintain critical environmental protections, officials said. 

“This action is an important milestone for the high-speed rail program,” said CHSRA Chief Executive Officer Brian Kelly. “We’ve lost valuable time waiting with the FRA’s disengagement, so I am very thankful for this action, and I am hopeful this step is the beginning of a more collaborative and cooperative relationship prospectively. We both gain from a strong partnership.”