I am torn on this issue. I say let California finish what it started. I would be staunchly against any more Federal Money for this project.
If this was a private project it wouldn't be boring through so many mountains nor would it have so many other expensive engineering features. The goal should have been to get the system built and operational and then fund engineering improvements to it.
The major three flaws I see here on this project was Jerry Brown appointing himself Chief Engineer of the project and insist everything be first class from the start. Probably the major reason that costs escalated so rapidly out of control.
Second flaw was attempting High Speed on such a ridiculously long corridor to start. Would have been far better to have first implemented LA - San Diego or SFO to San Jose first. Do the smaller leg first get your experience then attempt the larger legs of the system. Government projects are generally stupid in the learning area though. Jumping feet first into the major part of the project without any experience.
Third Flaw of course was Jerry Brown selling the project as a private-public project in which he stated the Private sector would contribute at least 50% of the construction funds........without consulting anyone in the private sector, then he appointed himself Chief Engineer and ballooned the costs out of control. Fix that yourself Governor Brown. Feds are not here to rescue you from your own stupidity. The 50-50 contribution could have happened with a smaller project as what this was once proposed $15-20 Billion. There is no way any private company or investment firm is going to pay $50 Billion for one stinking HSR route in California. That is way too much risk.
From the Center for Public Integrity: https://apps.publicintegrity.org/abandoned-in-america/train-off-track
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.