California high-speed rail board to consider latest plans

The board that oversees California’s high-speed rail project will meet Thursday to consider its latest plan, which proposes dramatic changes to the route.

The latest proposal calls for a $64 billion system that sends the high-speed rail line from Central California to San Jose rather than to the Los Angeles area first as initially planned.

It also takes three years longer than initially planned.

Critics, including many lawmakers, have panned the plan.

But California High-Speed Rail Authority officials say it’s the only way to get a useable segment of rail line built with existing funding. The first segment is forecast to cost $21 billion.

Officials plan to propose changes to the proposal at Thursday’s meeting in San Jose.