Costs of California’s troubled bullet train rise again, by an estimated $5 billion

LA Times via cnbc ^ | 2-8-22 | RALPH VARTABEDIAN

[dynachrome]

California bullet train officials on Tuesday released a new draft project blueprint that acknowledges that costs have risen roughly $5 billion but seeks to address several issues that have generated blowback.

The 2022 business plan estimates that the full, 500-mile, high-speed system between Los Angeles and San Francisco will cost as much as $105 billion, up from $100 billion two years ago. In 2008, when voters approved a bond to help build the railroad, the authority estimated that the system would cost $33 billion.

In its latest blueprint, the California High Speed Rail Authority abandoned a plan to save money by building only a single track for an initial 171-mile operating system between Bakersfield and Merced; instead, it plans to build a two-track system.

[dynachrome]

It will never be completed.

[Duckdog]

A money pit, just like Bostons big dig.

[Chode]

wasn’t intended to... just spend the money till it’s gone

[dynachrome]

courtesy hi-speed choo-choo ping.

[nascarnation]

farmer math says $200 million per mile?

That is one deluxe project.

Shovel ready, union made.

[dynachrome]

"Even though it was supposed to have been finished a decade ago, the amount of the project completed is 0.00%"

[beethovenfan]

Spend the money on (1) Water infrastructure, and (2) New nuclear plants.
These would benefit all California citizens. Name one thing that Newsom has done to benefit legal, taxpaying Californians. I can’t.

[j.havenfarm]

I’ll remind my FRiends who don’t live in this asylum that the Merced to Bakersfield piece is the EASY part building through agricultural lands. The difficulties faced are literally nothing compared to building the urban pieces. Libs, they love them their choo choos

[Veto!]

Bullet was apparently a dud.
Too bad it didn’t fire backward and kill the idiots who set up this idiotic failure.

[ptsal]

CONSULTANTS AND ATTORNEYS

[hanamizu]

“Merced to Bakersfield”

---

But think of all the revenue to be generated when the Merced to Bakersfield line is completed!
/s

[TLI]

$37,878.78 per foot.

Ouch!

.

[Lurkinanloomin]

They should just stop.

[bray]

Pelosi’s choo choo.

[Chode]

100%... just a money laundering operation, nothing more

[rxh4n1]

A money pit, just like Bostons big dig.

At least the Big Dig was completed. Shoddy, yes, but done. This mess will never get done.

[Rummyfan]

Why hasn’t this waste of money been shut down?!

[Rummyfan]

The 2022 business plan estimates that the full, 500-mile, high-speed system between Los Angeles and San Francisco will cost as much as $105 billion, up from $100 billion two years ago. In 2008, when voters approved a bond to help build the railroad, the authority estimated that the system would cost $33 billion.

If that doesn't perfectly sum up a government project I don't know what does.

[dynachrome]

“Why hasn’t this waste of money been shut down?!”

Follow the money.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Trump should build it. Think Roll-on skating rink.