Brazil plans 'bullet train' linking cities

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Brazil says a "bullet train" linking Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Campinas will be completed within six years.

Building the high-speed, 317-mile rail line will cost $18.7 billion, with Brazilian federal and state governments financing $11.8 billion through the National Economic and Social Development bank, Mercopress reported.

The rest of the money will come from the private sector, and the federal government will pay for land acquisition and operation of the train, the National Agency of Land Transport says.

Brazil's government has pledged to try to quickly approve necessary licensing once environmental-impact studies are complete.