Project has already cost $11 billion with no tracks laid
AP
President Joe Biden will inject over $3 billion of taxpayer funds into California’s ambitious electric bullet train project, which aims to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles. However, after 15 years of planning, the project has already consumed a staggering $11.6 billion without any tracks being laid.
The allocated funds will be used to purchase six electric trains and finance the construction and design of a train station and other facilities along a 171-mile stretch of rail line in California’s central valley. It’s worth noting that this section is far from both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Additionally, the California bullet train project has received nearly $230 million in federal infrastructure funding through the 2021 bill.
Biden’s recent financial injection comes at a time when the high-speed rail project is already facing a projected deficit of $100 billion, having spent over $11 billion. California Democratsand Republicans alike have criticized the venture for its exorbitant costs and lack of tangible progress. Governor Gavin Newsom (D.) has also expressed concerns about the project’s high expenses and time-consuming nature, proposing a scale-back that was later misinterpreted by the media.
“Only the Biden administration would look at a project that’s years behind schedule and tens of billions over budget and think ‘that’s a good place to invest another $3 billion,'” said Republican assemblyman James Gallagher, the state assembly’s minority leader. “Taxpayers around the country should be outraged that this boondoggle is getting another dime of their hard-earned money.”
The Biden administration has not provided specific details about the grant or any accountability measures or conditions attached to the funding. A spokesperson for the high-speed rail agency mentioned that progress is being made on infrastructure, such as viaducts, which need to be in place before tracks can be laid.
This funding represents the largest amount of federal support since former President Barack Obama granted $3.5 billion to the project in its early days. This grant followed the approval by California voters in 2008 for a high-speed rail line connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco, with an estimated cost of $33 billion and completion by 2020.
The high-speed rail project has been a contentious issue in the state for years, with even prominent Democrats losing confidence in its feasibility. In 2019, former President Donald Trump revoked nearly $1 billion of the federal funding previously granted by Obama, leading to a lawsuit from the state and ultimately settling with new conditions to release the funds.
In 2021, the Democratic-majority legislature hesitated to release the billions of state funds allocated for the project, causing a delay of over a year. Finally, in 2022, the lawmakers complied.
In 2018, a scathing report from the state auditor criticized the project’s leaders for inadequate expense control and poor planning, resulting in an additional $600 million in costs.
How do proponents of the high-speed rail project justify the need for additional taxpayer funds despite its troubled history?
Investing even more taxpayer money into a project that has already proven to be a fiscal disaster,” said California Assemblyman Vince Fong, a Republican who has been vocal in his opposition to the high-speed rail project.
The California bullet train project was initially approved in 2008, with an estimated cost of $33 billion and a completion date of 2020. However, due to a multitude of issues including legal challenges, land acquisition problems, and environmental concerns, the project has faced numerous delays and cost overruns.
Since its inception, the project has been marred by controversy. Critics argue that the cost of the high-speed rail project far outweighs its potential benefits, and question the need for such infrastructure in a state already burdened with significant debt and other pressing issues.
Proponents of the project argue that the bullet train will not only alleviate traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also create jobs and boost the economy. They envision a future where commuters can travel seamlessly between San Francisco and Los Angeles in a matter of hours.
However, many remain skeptical. The project’s soaring costs and lack of progress have led to widespread doubts about its feasibility and viability. Some argue that the funds allocated to the bullet train project could be better used to address other pressing needs such as affordable housing, education, or healthcare.
The Biden administration’s decision to inject additional funds into the high-speed rail project has drawn criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Republicans argue that taxpayer money should be spent more wisely, while Democrats express concerns about the project’s bloated budget and lack of results.
As the California bullet train project continues to face challenges and controversy, it remains to be seen whether it will ever become a reality or if it will join the long list of ambitious infrastructure projects that never came to fruition.
Vocabulary
ambitious – having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed
staggering – astonishing or overwhelming in magnitude or importance
allocated – set apart or designated for a specific purpose
stretch – an uninterrupted period, sequence, or expanse of time
exorbitant – greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
tangible – perceptible to the senses or capable of being touched or felt
misinterpreted – understood or explained mistakenly in a wrong way
fiscal – relating to government revenue, especially taxes
feasibility – the state or degree of being easily done, accomplished, or fulfilled
viability – capable of working successfully; feasible
burdened – loaded with heavy weight or responsibility
seamlessly – in a way that is perfectly smooth and continuous, with no apparent gaps or interruptions
skepticism – doubt as to the truth or veracity of something
bloated – swollen or puffed up
fruition – the point at which a plan or project is realized
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