加州將建美國首條高鐵

美國加州參議院上週以21票對16票通過了一項高速鐵路資金提案，這條全長209公里的鐵路向兩端延伸後將連接洛杉磯和舊金山兩大城市，形成美國國內首條高速鐵路，總造價預計在680億美元左右。批評人士認爲這樣的高鐵是財政浪費，而支持者則表示這是必要的基礎設施建設，而且還能緩解人口增長導致的路面和航空交通壓力。加州州長布朗曾爲該項目做過大量遊說工作，提案通過後加州將開始發售26億美元的債券爲高鐵第一階段融資，同時還將獲得32億美元的聯邦政府資金支持。

California lawmakers have approved financing for a bullet train that would eventually become part of the first dedicated high-speed line in the US.

In a 21-16 vote, the Senate approved a 130 mile (209km) stretch, part of a larger line proposed to run from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Critics say the train is a wasteful expense, while supporters say it is a necessary infrastructure project.

The final cost of the completed LA-San Francisco line is estimated at $68bn.

Governor Jerry Brown had lobbied intensely for the train. After he signs the bill - expected to be a formality - California will begin selling $2.6bn in bonds to finance the first segment.

The financing was approved by California's lower house, the Assembly, on Thursday.

"The legislature took bold action today that gets Californians back to work and puts California out in front once again," Mr Brown said in a statement after the Senate vote.

'Fiscal train wreck'

The vote on Friday also allows California to use $3.2bn in federal financing. The state will have more federal funds because several states turned down money for high-speed rail projects.

Senate Republicans argued California's budget - currently projected to be $16bn in the red - has already been hit too hard to approve the funding.

"This is a colossal fiscal train wreck for California," Republican Senator Tony Strickland said during debate. "Members, this bill is spending money we simply don't have here in California."

Many Democrats said high-speed rail was essential to the state's future, including dealing with population growth.

"There could not conceivably be enough freeway lanes to manage another 50% in automobiles," Senator Mark Leno said. "There couldn't possibly be enough runway space to accommodate an increase in 50% of additional air passengers."

Some business leaders from the San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley areas supported the measure and had been working to lobby legislators in recent weeks.

Bay Area Council president Jim Wunderman called the vote a "courageous step forward for California's future".