California’s high-speed rail now ‘worst project in history’ — as insiders reveal unbelievable new cost
California's high-speed rail project is facing intense scrutiny as updated estimates put the total cost at $231 billion, far exceeding the original $33 billion projection, with critics calling for its cancellation. The project, approved in 2008 and initially expected to be completed by 2020, has spent $14 billion so far with no operational trains. Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns over transparency, funding gaps, and feasibility, though some Democrats continue to support it. The current focus is on a 171-mile Central Valley segment expected to open by 2032.
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Politics exclusive details California’s high-speed rail now ‘worst project in history’ — as insiders reveal unbelievable new cost By Josh Koehn Published April 28, 2026, 8:57 p.m. ET Calls are growing for California’s high-speed rail to be abandoned completely after revelations the estimated cost of completing Gavin Newsom’s fantasy train project has ballooned to a staggering $231 billion. The latest cost revisions for the project — revealed during a Senate Transportation Committee meeting — left lawmakers fuming after the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office flagged numerous concerns. State Sen. Tony Strickland, vice chair of the STC, said the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s plan continues to obscure true costs — and now he’s calling for the entire project to be scrapped.
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