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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Man sentenced to 31 years for sex trafficking ... Those who find themselves lost exhibit similar behaviors, which can help rescuers ... Trio of suspected heroin dealers arrested in Medford ... Man sentenced to 31 years for sex trafficking ... Those who find themselves lost exhibit similar behaviors, which can help rescuers ... Trio of suspected heroin dealers arrested in Medford ... CALIFORNIA Congressmen blast California's high-speed rail plan Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 29, 2016 at 4:48 PM By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 29, 2016 at 4:48 PM » Social News SAN FRANCISCO — California's $64 billion high-speed rail plan lacks reliable funding sources and is in danger of ending up with only one line that doesn't connect to San Francisco or Los Angeles, members of a Congressional panel said Monday during a hearing. Proceeds from a state environment program that is supposed to help fund the project were far below expectations and private funding for the train has yet to materialize, Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican, said. "Where is the money going to come from?" LaMalfa asked Dan Richard, chairman of the rail authority's board. Richard said private firms have expressed interest in the system but want to see the first leg up and running. That leg between the Central Valley and Silicon Valley is currently under construction and slated to open in 2025. California voters approved $10 billion in bonds for the project in 2008, and federal officials awarded California $3.5 billion. The plan is to eventually connect San Francisco with Los Angeles — a trip that officials say would take under three hours on a high-speed train. "This will operate profitably when we get it done," Richard said. Supporters of the rail project have presented it as a cheaper and cleaner alternative to highway construction and airport expansion that would otherwise be needed to meet the state's growing population. Congressman Jeff Denham, another California Republican who chairs the House subcommittee on railroads, pipelines and hazardous materials, questioned whether the money for high-speed rail would have been better spent on other infrastructure projects, particularly water projects given the state's drought. He also expressed concern about funding. "All of the money is going to be spent and you could be stuck somewhere in a field ..., and we're out of money," he said. Sarah Feinberg, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, said big infrastructure projects such as high-speed rail encounter challenges but are still worth pursuing. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Aug. 29, 2016 at 4:48 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501