The Trump administration has announced plans to review California’s ongoing high-speed rail project, citing concerns over mismanagement, budget overruns, and construction delays. Federal authorities have indicated that the review could result in the withdrawal of $4 billion in federal funding allocated to the project.
Ian Choudri, CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which manages the project’s planning and funding, stated that he is open to the investigation. “With multiple independent federal and state audits completed, every dollar is accounted for, and we stand by the progress and impact of this project.”
To date, more than $13 billion in state and federal funding has been spent on the construction. According to federal authorities the project is mismanaged, significantly behind schedule, and far over budget. Initially estimated to cost $33 billion with an expected completion date of 2020, the high-speed rail system has only completed 119 miles (191 kilometres) of its planned 776-mile (1,248 kilometres) route, with no clear timeline for full completion.
Over a decade and $16B of taxpayer dollars wasted with zero results on this rail project. If protestors want to shout at someone, they should direct their outrage at Governor Newsom and complicit Democrats who have enabled this fraud and waste for a train to nowhere. @USDOT will… pic.twitter.com/KsXKhYczll
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 20, 2025
During his first term, President Donald Trump revoked nearly $1 billion in federal funding for the project in 2019. However, the Biden administration later reinstated the funding and, in December 2023, committed an additional $3.3 billion to push the project forward.
“It is the worst-managed project I think I’ve ever seen,” Trump said at a press conference earlier this month referencing the rail. Despite this criticism, California Governor Gavin Newsom has defended the project, expressing his optimism for the construction of the railroad.
Trump wants to halt the high-speed rail project that would cut travel time between SF and LA from 9 hours to under 3 hours.
— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) February 4, 2025
"We're going to start a big investigation on that.. it wasn't even necessary, I would have said, you don't buy it. You take an airplane.” pic.twitter.com/rEHtIuGiaQ
Focus on the Central Valley segment
State officials are now prioritising a 171-mile segment linking Bakersfield and Merced in the Central Valley, which is expected to be operational by 2033. This initial segment is a crucial first step towards the broader rail network.
However, financial challenges persist. A recent report found that the project’s first phase is unlikely to meet its goal of transporting passengers by 2033. The report also highlighted a $6.5 billion funding shortfall for the Central Valley segment, which the rail authority’s latest business plan aims to cover by securing up to $8 billion in additional federal funding.
Ignore the noise. We’re busy building. 🚧
— CA High-Speed Rail 🚄💨 (@CaHSRA) February 4, 2025
As we enter the track-laying phase, 171 miles are under active construction & we’ve already:
✅ COMPLETED 50 major structures
✅ COMPLETED 60 miles of guideway
✅ COMPLETED full enviro clearance from SF to LA
✅ CREATED 14,600 jobs pic.twitter.com/esbk0Gespb
15,000 jobs and over 50 major structures
Despite the financial and logistical setbacks, the high-speed rail project has contributed to job creation, with more than 15,000 jobs generated so far. Additionally, over 50 major structures have been completed, demonstrating tangible progress on the ambitious transportation initiative.
As the federal review unfolds, the future of California’s high-speed rail project remains uncertain.
