California Assemblyman Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) has been appointed to the board of directors for the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

“I am honored to be appointed to the High-Speed Rail Authority. As the Assembly member who represents the first leg of the project, I think my appointment will provide a unique local perspective to the Authority,” Arambula said in a written statement.

His post as an Ex Officio member of the board is one of two for members of California’s Assembly or Senate.

“High-speed rail is an opportunity to create jobs and expand our workforce development by investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the city and county of Fresno. I think it is imperative to have a legislator from the Central Valley serving on the Authority, and I look forward to providing a local and Central Valley voice to the successful development of the largest public works project in America.”

The board is tasked with overseeing the planning, design, construction and operation of the planned high-speed rail line between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the first such rail system in the U.S.

Initial construction has begun in the Fresno and Madera counties.

“Given his doctor’s eye for detail, I know Assembly member Arambula will be a strong voice for ensuring the project gets done right, in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective way,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, who appointed Arambula to the post, said in a written statement.