i am maria ayerdi-kaplan, executive director of the transbay joint powers authority. i want to welcome everyone to our future grand central station of the west. [applause] as all of you know, a transit center will serve the nine bay area counties. will serve southern california, and it will be the northern terminus for future high-speed rail. [applause] until today, the transbay construction site in join the distinction of being the only high-speed rail project under construction, but that is no longer going to be the case, and the reason for that is we have federal, state, local and regional leaders, through their commitments and passion and vision and determination have brought high-speed route to california. and it is now a reality. especially gratifying is that by signing today's high-speed rail funding bill, we will be creating thousands of jobs, just like with transbay. since the start of construction, we have created 2000 jobs. we have been working with veterans to provide job opportunities for wounded veterans. we are providing internships and mentor should po