So far, contract awards on Gov. Jerry Brown’s high-speed rail project have been well below estimates. The big winner has been the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which is funding all of the early work with $3 billion in federal stimulus grants.

By federal law, the High Speed Rail Authority will forfeit all stimulus funds that are unspent as of Sept. 30, 2017. To help Gov. Brown realize his legacy, the Obama Administration agreed to speed approvals and fund all of the initial operating segment itself.