Voters approved funding for a portion of California's high-speed rail in 2008. Project timelines have slipped and projected costs rose from an initial $33 billion to as much as $128 billion. An $87 billion segment linking Palmdale to Gilroy would not be ready until 2038 under current estimates. Only a stretch in the Central Valley is currently under construction. State transportation leaders promoted Senate Bill 545 to create new funding sources and to spur residential and commercial development along the rail corridor. Support reportedly remains strong among many voters, especially younger generations, while federal officials pulled $4 billion and the Authority sued to seek restoration.
Funding for a portion of California's high-speed rail was initially approved by voters in 2008. The project is now significantly delayed - and more expensive. The initial price tag was $33 billion. But according to estimates, it now could cost up to $128 billion to get it finished. A total of $87 billion of that would link Palmdale to Gilroy, south of San Jose. But as it stands, that portion wouldn't be ready until 2038.
The only construction that's underway is a stretch in the Central Valley. On Monday, state transportation leaders held a news conference to provide key updates and to garner support for a new Senate bill designed to create new funding sources. "This is how we grow our economy and cut pollution at the same time," said state Sen. Dave Cortese, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee.
Cortese believes SB 545 would help secure opportunities for major residential and commercial development along the high-speed rail corridor. Last month, the Trump administration said it was pulling $4 billion in funding from the project. The High Speed Rail Authority quickly sued to try to get that funding restored. That legal process in ongoing. President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have slammed the project as a "train to nowhere."
Collection
[
|
...
]