Scathing report prompts Duffy to threaten California high-speed rail funding cut
After a scathing report from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, it seems that the end may be near for California’s high-speed rail project, which has been dubbed the “train to nowhere.” The report, released by the Federal Railroad Administration, highlighted numerous issues with the project, including delays, missed deadlines, mismanagement, waste, skyrocketing costs, and overestimated ridership projections.
Duffy warned that the federal government is considering terminating around $4 billion in funding for the project unless the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) can prove its feasibility. With zero miles of high-speed track laid in the past 10 years and costs continuing to rise, the project has been labeled a “boondoggle” by Duffy and President Donald Trump.
The report revealed a funding gap of $7 billion to complete a subset of the first phase of the project, known as the Early Operating Segment, which runs from Merced to Bakersfield. Despite substantial federal support, the CHSRA has failed to demonstrate the ability to complete the project on time or within budget.
In response to the report, Governor Gavin Newsom outlined a revised budget plan that would allocate $1 billion annually for the next 20 years from the state’s cap-and-trade program to fund the project. However, the FRA has accused the CHSRA of not acting in good faith and has given them 37 days to respond before seeking repayment of the $4 billion in federal grants.
The future of California’s high-speed rail project remains uncertain as the federal government considers pulling the plug on funding. With mounting costs, delays, and mismanagement plaguing the project, it seems that the “train to nowhere” may never reach its destination.
