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4w ago

California High-Speed Rail Faces $7 Billion Shortfall Threatening Progress

With no clear plan to address the deficit, the project risks halting within 15 months as scrutiny and delays mount.

This Dec. 6, 2017 file photo shows one of the elevated sections of the high-speed rail under construction in Fresno, Calif.
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Overview

  • The California Legislative Analyst Office reported a $7 billion funding gap that could halt the high-speed rail project by mid-2026 if unaddressed.
  • The Merced-to-Bakersfield segment, under construction, is now delayed to 2030-2033, with the full Los Angeles-to-San Francisco route projected for 2050.
  • The project’s budget has ballooned from $40 billion in 2008 to over $100 billion, with significant portions of funding still unrealized.
  • Governor Gavin Newsom remains a vocal supporter, emphasizing progress and potential benefits, while critics, including some lawmakers, call for its abandonment.
  • A federal investigation into $4 billion in funding and a delayed updated financial report have intensified scrutiny of the project’s management and feasibility.