California is getting a $194-million federal grant to fund planning of a 520-mile high-speed rail line, local media report.

The U.S. Transportation Department said that the stimulus money will help pay for preliminary engineering and environmental analyses of segments connecting San Francisco to Anaheim.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority says the grant will be matched dollar for dollar with state funds.

Authority Chairman Curt Pringle says the grant demonstrates the federal government's continued confidence in the project, which has been criticized over its route selection and business plan.

Earlier this year, the federal government awarded a $2.25 billion grant to help cover a portion of the $43-billion system. The authority is counting on additional funding from $10 billion in voter-approved bond financing and additional federal and private investments.