The California Bullet Train Future May hang in the Balance This Election Cycle

Democratic California Governor Candidates approve of the train while the two leading GOP candidates oppose it. California voters approved Proposition 1A approving nearly $10 billion in bond money for the construction of the high-speed rail system yet since the 2008 vote the costs and overruns are taxing the State population. New polls who voters want their money to go elsewhere. There planned 119 Central Valley run has less obstacles, but future planned tunnels may cause environmental conscience voters to irk. The line from San Francisco to Bakersfield may not be operational until 2029. Costs continue to go up and Ion particular, there's cost and various other challenges posed by the tunneling through the Pacheco Pass, which the business plan termed "the critical link between the Silicon Valley and the Central Valley. Each time Sacramento gets new reports they all involve more money and more time. Democratic candidates want the spending to continue as well as labor unions. Public opinion has an opposing view. June 5, 2018 primary will decide which two gubernatorial candidates, regardless of party, advance to the general election Nov. 6. Front-runner Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has expressed concerns on the proposed rail plan. However, Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat and former Los Angeles mayor said in a statement he supports the rail project and claims "unlike others, his position has been consistent." California secured about $3.3 billion in federal stimulus funds in 2009 but has burned through about $2.5 billion of that money. Some say no sane investor would ever put money into this thing and the federal government cut off the spigot a long time ago. Some economist think tech worker may live in Bakersfield and commute by high speed to work if the train actually gets completed, but that is at least a decade away and billions of dollars in State debt. Can this train ever make money as a return on the investment? Private money managers say no. It is now up to the next governor to kill it, or keep running up the bills. Seems to be the only two avenues remaining.

California Bullet train First Stage (Central Valley) will Cost Almost double from Original Estimate of $6 Billion

The LA Times recently reported that the CalHighSpeed Rail budget ballooned $2.8 billion with a total estimated cost to build at $10.6 billion. The original estimate was $6 billion for the central valley portion. This according to the LA Times is the worst case scenario. The cost increases stem from higher land acquisition costs, costs of relocating utility systems, new safety barriers in the area freight and Speed rails trains meet. The new chief executive director Brian Kelley ($400k salary) said the high speed rail is crucial for the future economic needs of the State, but it has tough challenges. Such as where are they going to get the new $2.8 billion? This will require the state legislator for more money. The State approved the bonds and the increase will cover the train for the central valley, but if they are having such cost overruns now in the lower priced valley. How can they pay for land acquisition in the Bay Area and downtown LA? The original projection was that this fancy rail line would cost $40 billion and it is now estimated to need $64 billion to complete. The new report brings to view that the authorities underestimation for the cost to acquire the land, the environmental approvals and subsequent litigation. Many critics are saying that the authority estimated lower costs to politically protect the project. They basically underestimated the costs and overstated the benefits. I guess when it is not your personal money being spent it is easy to do. The LA Times spoke to James Moore, director of the transportation engineering program at USC. "It is in my opinion overly deceptive. We have seen on transportation projects this militant defense that is meant to cause the public to remain calm." Moore forewarns that the costs are likely to produce much greater future increases. On the horizon are more difficult segments, such as the long underground passage through the Tehachapi and San Gabriel Mountains and the route into the urban San Francisco Bay Area. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declined to even speak about the rail for the past two years. Liberal state governor candidates are avoiding the issue entirely. Repaying the bonds will cost $18 billion in the next 30 years. This means our roads will suffer, and money will not be available for Hwy improvements. One of their biggest mistakes has been they have not acquired the land in advance. They indicated they will amend that mistake, but acquiring the land and then planning the construction. Does that mean they will begin buying in the Antelope Valley? Likely not right away, but they will begin the process much earlier. Part of the problem as well maybe that California is a one party state. Only liberals make decisions, and opposing views are not even considered.