California high speed rail programme managementThe proposed USD40 billion (US$1 = EUR0.72), 1,290 km-long California high speed rail system will serve San Franciso, Los Angeles and San Diego, with branches to Sacramento in the north and Irvine in the south. Dependent upon chosen alignment, the route includes between 21 km and 37 km of tunnels of maximum lengths between 5.5 km and 8 km. Possible staged construction sequence is: LA-Anaheim; LA-Palmdale; Palmdale-Bakersfield; Bakersfield-Fresno; Fresno-Merced; Central Valley-San Jose; San Jose-San Francisco; Merced-Sacramento; LA-San Diego. To get the project started, a USD10 billion bond was recently approved by the State for issue when matched by a similar amount in federal funds and a further USD10 billion PPP funds. Invitations to tender for construction are planned for 2011, with project completion 2020. The first 160 km will be used as a test track, and this will probably be the Merced-Bakersfield section which can be ready by 2015. For latest programme management presentation visit www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov. 52/08.