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New California Gov. Gavin Newsom slams brakes on S.F.-to-L.A. bullet train
Infrastructure - FEBRUARY 19, 2019

New California Gov. Gavin Newsom slams brakes on S.F.-to-L.A. bullet train

by Andrea Zander

California Governor Gavin Newsom ends the state’s high-speed rail project due to high costs and timeline.

The “currently planned [project] would cost too much and take too long” to build, Newsom explained during his first State of the State address. Newsom said, “the state’s high-speed rail project, which has ballooned in price from $45 billion to $77 billion, is out of control and needs trimming.” The governor later added the project otherwise would run out of money with nothing to show for it except “angst, frustration and finger-pointing.”

As originally approved by ballot initiative in 2008, the entire 800-mile high-speed rail system connecting all of California’s major population centers from San Francisco to San Diego, was to be constructed and in revenue service by 2020.

Instead of trying to link to the Bay Area, Newsom said he will focus on finishing the line currently under construction that will run 171 miles through the Valley from Merced to Bakersfield. It is planned to open by 2027.

 

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