Posted on 05/11/2014 1:50:51 PM PDT by george76
The estimated cost of the initial segment of California's bullet train, Golden State Governor Jerry Brown's pet project, has (excuse the pun) just shot up from $6.19 billion to $7.13 billion. If this is the only overrun encountered in this opening phase, which would be atypical, and if the California High Speed Rail Authority has similar experiences on the remainder of the project, assuming it's ever completed, its cost will rise from a currently estimated $68 billion to about $78 billion.
Obviously a big cost overrun is news. But normally, evidence of an attempted government coverup of such an overrun is even bigger news. But not at the Los Angeles Times. The paper's Ralph Vartabedian kept it out of his headline and waited until his story's ninth paragraph to note it. Even then, his description was needlessly vague
(Excerpt) Read more at newsbusters.org ...
And that my friends is the way the Big Dig Fiasco in Boston started...
Next up, the infamous, “We’ve already spent too much money to stop NOW!”
After a lifetime of “servicing” the taxpayers of California, this will be Jerry Brown’s “final thrust.” From a man, and I use the term loosely, who has never held a private sector job in his life. The Browns are the “Kennedys” of California. Thankfully, Jerry has been so busy that he never had time to procreate, so there won’t be a third generation of “Browns.” We can thank the Lord for small favors.
This is going to cost nearly 150B if it ever gets built.
All to shore up Harry Reid and his criminal empire in Los Vegas
They call this the BULLET train? Won’t that upset Mike Bloomberg and the rest of the anti 2nd amendment hoplophobes? Oh, wait this is Gov Moonbeam’s pet project so it’s all good.
Bump
Aren’t there any other credible newspapers that can and will blow the whistle on this boondoggle?
Back in the day, newspapers competed fiercely to find “scoop” that would reveal corruption and win them Pulitzers.
Nah, try this replacement; "Even then, his description was purposely vague ..." When you write for the intelligentsia, you toe the line!
I am shocked that they would call it a bullet train hell if you even draw one in school you are tossed to the curb
If there were much travel between the two destinations (there is not), it would likely handled by a car or private aircraft (Madera has no airline service, it's population is only 62K)
Even if the High Speed [sic] Rail would travel over 200 mph (it never, ever will), a car would still be faster for a Madera/Bakersfield trip considering parking, ticketing and baggage, security and seating and then car rental at the destination. Furthermore, trains are, by definition, always late.
Even if the High Speed [sic] Rail ticket price were heavily subsidized (it will be), a Madera/Bakersfield high speed choo choo would still be much, much more expensive than hopping into the family car for the trip.
It's all there, folks.
- It will take more time.
- It will cost more.
- And, it will not take you where you want to go, unless you happen to live at one station, and work at the other.
.
In the unlikely event that our 100 Billion Dollar Con Job on the voters ever gets built and running...
... Nobody will ride it!
.
“All to Shore Up Harry Reid and his criminal empire in Los Vegas”
As far as I know the train is going from San Diego to San Francisco - no Vegas stops ... Yet!
But, saw on TV this a.m. a Neil Kashkari capaign ad (Gov. candidate in Nov) pledging to stop the boondoggle.
For 78 billion, they can build enough desalination plants and infrastructure to never again have to worry abou a drought. In addition, they would put thousands to work.
But no, let’s build a train to nowhere.
Browndoggle
What should have happended. Lines from Ontario and Burbank to Barstow. One line to Vegas. Gambling on the train.
Brown should have gone to Vegas and met with casino owners, mayor, and governor. Only public funds for right of way, planning and review of environmental impact report. Vegas hotel tax $5-10 per night to pay for train and any operation shortages.
<>They call this the BULLET train?<>
AKA the Brown Streak?
Meanwhile here in California we have no water. So the population will start dying. And the Feinsteins construction project will bilk Californians out of billions of dollars
Anybody see the pics of the burning bridge on I-15 between Los Angeles & Las Vegas at Hesperia last week?
That bridge already had $59 million spent on it and it has to be completely torn down & started over.
Another Cal Trans project!!!
The replacement bridge will cost even more—new contracts & higher costs, you betcha!!
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