US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy at a press conference at Union Station in the center of Los Angeles on February 20th.
Photo by Patrick T. Fallon
California’s efforts to build the first high -speed rail network of the country, which has seen its predicted costs nearly threefold since it was initiated in 2008, can see $ 4 billion previously approved by eliminated Following a review of the program by the Department of Transport.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump showed his dissatisfaction with the project, fake that there were “hundreds of billions of dollars exceeding cost”. In fact, the estimated cost of the 400-mile network is linked to about $ 100 billion, of which $ 15.7 billion has been spent-used only about $ 3 billion ahead of federal so far. However, the newly appointed sean Duffy transportation secretary said both of the growing cost of the railway, which is adjacent to an initial estimate of about $ 33 billion, and his unclear deadline for completion make it a bad bet for American taxpayers.
“I am going to exercise my authority as a Transport Secretary to direct the Federal Railway Administration, or FRA, to begin a review of funding for high -speed rail authority in California,” Duffy said at a conference For press at the Union Station Station in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday. “This will help determine if billions of dollars in taxpayers money must remain dedicated to high -speed California railway. We will see if high -speed rail in California has actually respected the deals they have signed with the federal government. “
The loss of any funding for the project at this time would endanger the state’s ability to open the initial 171 -mile segment passing through the central valley, connecting cities including Merced, Fresno and Bakersfield. This first part, which currently employs about 15,000 employees, was targeted in the early 2030s. There is no strong period of time when connections with San Francisco and Los Angeles would end, due to the need to provide At least $ 70 billion of additional funds.
“We welcome this investigation and the opportunity to work with our federal partners,” said Ian Chudri, CEO of the State Railway Authority. “With the multiple independent Federal and State Multiple Completion, every dollar is calculated, and we stand by the progress and impact of this project.”
While Duffy and Trump are not fans of the state project, the brightline Bullet train to Brightline West, which aims to connect Las Angeles Suburban with the help of a $ 3 billion federal grant appear to be in favor with new administration . A private bond offer to cover the remaining cost of the Brightline project today, estimating the offer at $ 2.5 billion.
Protesters express their opposition during a press conference by transport secretary Sean Duffy at the Union Station in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Times through Getty Images
“It looks like a project that is worthy of investment,” Duffy said. “But this project, if completed, 400 miles from LA to San Francisco at the best, will cost $ 106 billion. Most people will say it’s a pink rating. There is no way to end for $ 106 billion . “
As Duffy completed his remarks, some protesting dozen gathered near the press conference at the train station, holding signs in favor of the state-run rail project and cheering anti-trump, anti-mustk and anti-duffy slogans.
Incidentally, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday that his government intended to secure $ 2.7 billion to help build a high -speed railway line to connect cities including Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City.
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