On February 4, former President Donald Trump slammed California’s High-Speed Rail project, calling it “the worst managed project” and announcing plans to investigate its progress and spending.
“This project has ballooned in cost by hundreds of billions, and it’s not even the same plan anymore. It’s shorter, nowhere near San Francisco or Los Angeles,” Trump said, adding, “We’re going to take a closer look at what’s really happening.”
Massive Cost Overruns and Delays
According to Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA), the project has already received $6.8 billion in federal funding and is now requesting another $8 billion to continue construction. Originally pitched in 2008 as a 520-mile high-speed train connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim, the system was expected to cost $33 billion and be completed by 2020.
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However, the project has since been significantly downsized to a 171-mile segment between Merced and Bakersfield, with hopes of extending to Los Angeles and San Francisco in the future. A new California Inspector General report revealed that even this scaled-back plan is expected to be at least three years behind its revised 2033 deadline, with a $6.5 billion funding shortfall.
With an estimated final cost soaring to $135 billion, the rail system has faced setbacks due to budget constraints, rising expenses, land acquisition difficulties, and environmental challenges.
California Rail Authority Responds
When asked whether the Department of Government Efficient (DOGE) would be investigating, Trump dismissed the idea, stating, “No, I’m doing that myself.”
In response to Trump’s criticisms, the California High-Speed Rail Authority defended the project, emphasizing that every dollar spent has been accounted for.
“Of the approximately $13 billion invested so far, $10.5 billion has come from the state, not ‘hundreds of billions,’ as claimed. These funds have generated over $22 billion in economic impact,” the agency stated.
The statement also pointed out that the Office of the Inspector General is actively overseeing and reviewing the project to ensure transparency and accountability.
For further details about the high-speed rail initiative, visit BuildHSR.com.
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