California High-Speed Rail Project

delayed

A high-speed bullet train project intended to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles with various stops in between. Originally approved by voters in 2008 with a nearly $10 billion referendum, the project has faced significant delays, cost overruns, and management challenges. The original cost estimate was $33 billion with completion by 2020, but current estimates have risen to $135 billion with completion expected sometime in the next decade. The project has not yet begun laying the 119-mile track between two cities, and track-laying is not expected to start until early next year. The California legislature plans to provide $20 billion in funding over 20 years, while the Trump Administration has clawed back $4 billion due to default on original terms. The rail authority is also exploring leasing land and building solar facilities to generate revenue.