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California High-Speed Rail Authority Oct. 18 awarded contracts valued at up to $4 million per firm for environmental impact reports (EIRs) analyzing how a high-speed rail system could be built and operated by three regions.

Parsons Transportation Group, San Francisco, would analyze a route from the Bay Area to Sacramento; Long Beach-based Frederic R. Harris, Sacramento to Bakersfield; and Orange-based P&D Consultants/DMJM, Bakersfield to Los Angeles.

"Our goal is to determine an appropriate statewide strategy that addresses each region’s needs and integrates with their long-range land use and transportation plans," said Mehdi Morshed, High-Speed Rail Authority executive director, in a prepared statement. "Because these firms have an intimate knowledge of these regions, they will provide us with thorough analyses that will be the technical backbone of our overall program."

Gov. Gray Davis’ 2000-2001 state budget provided funds for the authority to begin a $25 million, three-year comprehensive EIR, initiated in August when the authority named Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas program manager.

Also Oct. 18, the authority issued a request for proposals for a detailed environmental/engineering analysis of the Los Angeles-to-San Diego corridor via the Inland Empire. This contract is expected to be awarded by year-end.