The U.S. Transportation Secretary Launches Probe into California’s Rail Project

The U.S. Transportation Secretary has initiated an investigation into California’s high-speed rail project, raising concerns over rising costs and delays. The project has already surpassed budget estimates, with no completion date in sight. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The U.S. Transportation Secretary Questions Project’s Future

Officials have invested $15.7 billion, including $2.7 billion in federal funds, yet progress remains slow. Estimates now place the total cost at $135 billion, significantly exceeding original projections.

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Republican lawmakers argue that taxpayer money should support critical infrastructure like roads and water management. The Trump administration will review past expenditures to assess whether further federal funding is justified.

The U.S. Transportation Secretary Criticizes Budget Mismanagement

Duffy expressed skepticism about the project’s future, highlighting the lack of a clear timeline for completion. The rail system, originally scheduled for 2020, remains far from operational.

The first segment, a 171-mile track from Merced to Bakersfield, was laid in January. Officials aim to begin service by 2030, but delays may push completion beyond 2033. The cost of this section alone is estimated between $32 billion and $35 billion.

At Union Station, protesters interrupted the press conference, chanting in favor of continuing construction. Supporters argued that political interference and mismanagement had caused unnecessary delays.

Duffy acknowledged public frustration but directed blame at Governor Newsom and state agencies. He argued that the administration’s failure to manage funds effectively had led to rising costs.

State Senator Shannon Grove emphasized how costs ballooned from an initial $34 billion to $128 billion. She pointed out that private sector investment, initially promised at 20%, had not materialized.

Representative Vince Fong, whose district includes Bakersfield, condemned the project’s inefficiency. He praised federal efforts to investigate financial mismanagement and explore alternative investments.

Fong suggested that reallocating funds could improve water infrastructure, forestry management, and transportation networks. He argued that California must reassess its infrastructure priorities.

Representative Doug LaMalfa supported shifting resources toward water reservoirs, highways, and critical infrastructure. He compared the cost of the rail project to building multiple large-scale water projects.

Critics noted that $11 billion had already been spent with minimal visible progress. Lawmakers questioned whether the project justified its financial burden on taxpayers.

Representative Kevin Kiley introduced legislation to halt federal funding, calling the project a significant failure. He described California’s rail system as an example of extreme mismanagement.

Following the press conference, the California High-Speed Rail Authority defended its financial practices. Officials insisted that all expenditures were accounted for and justified by economic benefits.

CEO Ian Choudri stated that 50 major structures had been completed, supporting active construction efforts. He noted that the project had created 14,700 jobs across the state.

Choudri emphasized that the rail initiative had already generated $22 billion in economic impact. He argued that the investment had primarily benefited communities within the Central Valley.

Democratic Representative Jim Costa defended the project, dismissing criticism from Trump and other opponents. He blamed political interference and legal challenges for causing delays and rising costs.

Costa maintained that most funding had come from state sources rather than federal contributions. He suggested that critics exaggerated financial concerns to undermine the project’s viability.

Source: www.myhometowntoday.com

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