STATE FUNDING APPROVED ON STUDIES FOR HIGH-SPEED TRAIN.

Byline: Staff and wire reports

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Gray Davis approved funding this week for environmental studies for a high-speed train network in California.

Davis also appointed two members to the High-Speed Rail Authority board.

In Thursday's budget unveiling, Davis allocated $8.46 million for the 2002-03 fiscal year, which combined with $1.25 million in a federal appropriation the authority received last month, makes it possible to complete state and federal environmental impact reports by June 30, 2003.

``The governor's commitment to finalizing this first and essential step toward the construction of the high-speed rail system, especially within a challenging economic environment, shows true vision and conviction and is encouraging for Californians desperate for reliable and safe transportation options,'' said Rod Diridon, chairman of the High-Speed Rail Authority.

The rail authority is scheduled to meet next week to choose an alignment for the north-south route. The city of Santa Clarita backs a route that would cut through its east side to the Antelope Valley rather than a western line that follows the Golden State Freeway.

Davis' appointments to the nine-member authority board are Dr. Ernest A. Bates and Joseph E. Petrillo. Bates, a former Senate appointee to the board, is chief executive officer of American Shared Hospital Services in San Francisco. Petrillo is a partner in the San Francisco law office of Sheppard Mullin Richter and Hampton.

``The work of HSRA will prove to be critical as Californians and its leaders seek options for meeting the increased demand for safe and efficient ways to travel throughout the state,'' Diridon said.

With the budget allocation, the rail authority expects to complete the draft environmental report for the entire 700-mile system by June 2003. Once finalized, the next step will identify specific corridor alignments for construction and begin project-specific environmental clearance reviews.