Trains.com

California's high speed rail project behind in schedule and with cost overuns.

5156 views
46 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 9,610 posts
Posted by schlimm on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 12:32 PM

ChessieCat123
Geeze for railfans I would think we would be all gung ho for this.

Not on the Trains forums.  Most (not all) posters are very critical of or totally opposed to HSR for a variety of reasons, such as: too expensive, not needed, the US doesn't need to copy what other nations have done, all we need are nostalgia trains as in the 1950s, or Amercans prefer cars.

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Fountain Valley, CA, USA
  • 607 posts
Posted by garyla on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 10:54 PM

It's pretty hard to explore the California HSR project without dragging some of the politics into it, much more difficult than, say, the PTC deadline discussion, which has been crawling with political references.

It's reasonably objective to say that HSR is Gov. Brown's pet project.  Offhand, I doubt than any halfway-alert adult here I know would dispute that, regardless of poitical leaning.  And regardless of one's opinion of him or the plan, if the L. A. Times is coming down hard on it, it's probably in trouble.

If I ever met a train I didn't like, I can't remember when it happened!
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 9,610 posts
Posted by schlimm on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 8:25 PM

Norm:   Is it necessary to drag Gov. Brown into the discussion?  Politics are AFAIK, strengst verboten!

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Fountain Valley, CA, USA
  • 607 posts
Posted by garyla on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 8:20 PM

diningcar

The LA Times, after reviewing project documents, says"The deadline and budget targets will almost cerainly be missed"and state officials have "underestimated the challenges ahead". Current best projection for completion of Phase I is 2030 missing the original 2022.

Project-management firm Parsons Brinckerhoff said in a secret 2013 report which the Times obtained, that it saw cost overruns "in almost every phase of the project". 

The state hasn't figured out how to finance the current costs, much less the overruns. All of this was projected by several at this site a few years ago.

 

 

These problems aren't really news to a lot of us skeptics here in la-la land.  What raised my eyebrows was learning these harsh criticisms were in a long and thorough critique published in the usually Jerry Brown-friendly Los Angeles Times.  It's not the first left-leaning publication to question the project, but it has a lot more clout than Mother Jones magazine.  This could be a sign that the whole scheme is in deeper trouble.   Stay tuned.

If I ever met a train I didn't like, I can't remember when it happened!
  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 105 posts
Posted by ouibejamn on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 7:45 PM

Norm48327
Oh, and if you want intelligent discourse tyr sloshing oil.

Right, because i'm not going to get it from you.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southeast Michigan
  • 2,983 posts
Posted by Norm48327 on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 5:50 PM

DSchmitt

California Highspeed Rail solgan:

Carrying nobody between noplace and nowhere at exorbitant cost.

 

While we have no plans to secure sufficient water for the people.

Norm


  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 3:51 PM

California Highspeed Rail solgan:

Carrying nobody between noplace and nowhere at exorbitant cost.

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southeast Michigan
  • 2,983 posts
Posted by Norm48327 on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 3:39 PM

Were you expecting me to congratulate him?

Oh, and if you want intelligent discourse tyr sloshing oil.

Norm


  • Member since
    November 2012
  • 105 posts
Posted by ouibejamn on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 3:33 PM

Norm48327

Governor Moonbeam let costs get out of control?

Whoda thunk?

Unfortunately, I guess this is what passes for intelligent discourse in your part of the country.

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southeast Michigan
  • 2,983 posts
Posted by Norm48327 on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 2:01 PM

Governor Moonbeam let costs get out of control?

Whoda thunk?

Norm


  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,754 posts
California's high speed rail project behind in schedule and with cost overuns.
Posted by diningcar on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 1:54 PM

The LA Times, after reviewing project documents, says"The deadline and budget targets will almost cerainly be missed"and state officials have "underestimated the challenges ahead". Current best projection for completion of Phase I is 2030 missing the original 2022.

Project-management firm Parsons Brinckerhoff said in a secret 2013 report which the Times obtained, that it saw cost overruns "in almost every phase of the project". 

The state hasn't figured out how to finance the current costs, much less the overruns. All of this was projected by several at this site a few years ago.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy