Department of Justice in talks with California to settle suit over funds withheld from high speed rail project
The U.S. Department of Justice is in talks with California to settle a lawsuit resulting from the Trump administration’s cancellation of a $929 million grant for the state’s high speed rail project. Reuters reports the Justice Department and California Attorney General’s Office said in a court filing they were in settlement discussions and asked the case be put on hold. The California suit, filed in 2019, argues the U.S. Department of Transportation lacked the legal authority to withhold the funds allocated by the Obama administration. The FRA, under the Trump Administration, said the state had “failed to make reasonable progress on the project,” while California claimed the cancellation stemmed from Trump’s “overt hostility” toward the state.
MBTA to fund return to pre-pandemic service levels, but no date set for restored service
MBTA will fund pre-pandemic service levels, The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority says it will fund restoration of rail and bus service to pre-pandemic levels in its 2022 budget, although full service will not return immediately when the budget year begins on July 1. State House News Service reports an MBTA spokesman said the funding will allow the agency to begin hiring and training personnel needed to restore service, as well as developing new schedules. “While the T is not in a position to restore all pre-pandemic services immediately,” spokesman Joe Pesaturo said, “the planning process for getting there is starting now.” MBTA officials have not yet determined a timeline for full restoration of service. The move comes after widespread criticism of the agency’s plan to cut service while receiving large sums of federal stimulus money.
Mexico’s cross-isthmus rail, port project could be operational in 2023
Mexico’s Isthmus of Tehuantepec rail and port corridor, the 180-mile project meant to create an alternative to the Panama Canal, could be open as early as 2023, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has indicated. BNamericas.com reports construction is under way on the the $1 billion project, building the rail line to connect the ports of Coatzacoalcos in the state of Veracruz and Salina Cruz in Oaxaca, as well as expanding the ports. Still to come are tendering of contracts for 10 industrial parks to be built along the route. López Obrador recently said Mexico’s navy will receive part ownership of the project [see “Digest: Sonoma-Marin rail transit sued …,” Trains News Wire, March 22, 2021].
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