Written by T. Logan Dayne
California has had no lack of train problems in recent months. The Los Angeles train robberies have left the once utopic state, an ideal of not only western civilization but one of the gems of America, in what is now a state of ruin and a joke for others in the nation. California now has another train problem looming, only this time more costly and a long time coming.
For well over a decade, California has set its eyes on an ambitious high speed train set to link the heavily democratic leaning cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles. The train commenced back in 2008 with a budget of initially $40 billion but has since raised by nearly $10 billion in years since with little end in sight. Costs for the project keep climbing despite goals falling short consistently. The project has been widely criticized from the beginning and perhaps rightly so as it now seems like a money pit that Gov. Newsom wants to accomplish no matter the setback. New estimates for the train released last Tuesday now show the rail can take up to $105 billion to finish. The project is currently fighting for more funding from the Biden administration.
The skepticism ran deep enough that last year the California Legislature did not agree to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s request of an additional $4.2 billion for the project. Leaders in the state are hesitant to release money due to the poor track record of the train. Newsom is trying to get money to burn for the project from a transportation package which would include billions for local rails and transportation projects under the current administration. Republican Assemblyman Jim Patterson of Fresno was also unimpressed by the progress of the rail system saying, “ Given the embarrassing failures this project has racked up, I’d be surprised if the feds decide to throw more money at it.”
Despite the failure, a spokesman from Newsom said they are determined to go on. “Although the administration was disappointed that the transportation package didn’t get done last year we continue to move forward and are working to achieve funding in this year’s budget,” Daniel Lopez, a Newsom spokesman said.
Photo Cred: Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times
