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The federal government has decided to restore nearly $1 billion in funding for California's bullet train, reports the Associated Press.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday, June 10, that the U.S. Department of Transportation finalized negotiations to restore the money for the project after it was revoked by the Trump administration in 2019.
The restoration of the $929 million in grant funding "will continue to spur job creation, advance the project and move the state one step closer to getting trains running in California as soon as possible," said Newsom.
Back in 2008, California voters approved $10 billion in bond money to build a high-speed rail project that would connect Los Angeles and San Francisco. It was supposed to be up and running by 2020.
However, the project has been troubled by delays and cost overruns. Officials are now hoping to have the trains running through the central valley region by 2029.
Critics of the bullet train have claimed it is a "train to nowhere," but supporters say it's necessary to linking more populated areas.
According to AP, the project's plan expects environmental approval for the 500 miles between Los Angeles and San Francisco by 2023. However, the completion of the full line depends on funding and other unknown factors.