California’s high-speed rail project is infamous for delays and cost overruns since it was first pitched to California voters in 2008 as a $30 billion project that would be complete by 2020. Officials have since updated its price tag to $100 billion and estimate its first leg will be open to the public in 2033, the Associated Press says.
California has spent $11 billion on 57 miles of completed guideway, 45 structures and investments in the state’s infrastructure, not just 1,600 feet of rail.
Author: Emery Winter
Published: 5:48 PM EDT May 14, 2024
https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/travel-verify/california-high-speed-rail-completed-miles-billion-dollars-fact-check/536-fe87c5c9-20d4-4bf9-9855-786a5525f454
Due to limited funding, only the Initial Operating Segment (IOS) has advanced to construction. It is the middle section of the San Francisco–Los Angeles route and spans 35% of its total length. These 171 miles (275 km) in the Central Valley will connect Merced and Bakersfield.
Phase 1
Phase 1, about 494 miles (795 km) long, is planned to run from San Francisco to Los Angeles and Anaheim via the Central Valley. Due to limited funding, only the Initial Operating Segment (IOS) has advanced to construction. It is the middle section of the San Francisco–Los Angeles route and spans 35% of its total length. These 171 miles (275 km) in the Central Valley will connect Merced and Bakersfield. Revenue service on the IOS is projected to commence between 2031 and 2033 as a self-contained high-speed rail system, at a cost of $28–38.5 billion.[6][7][8] With a top speed of 220 mph (350 km/h), CAHSR trains running along this section would be the fastest in the Americas.
A proposed Phase 2 would extend the system north to Sacramento and south to San Diego, for a total of 776 miles (1,249 km).
Phase 2
Phase 2 would construct two major extensions to the system. The northern extension would stretch 115 miles (185 km) from Merced to Sacramento, with intermediate stops at Modesto and Stockton. It would largely parallel the existing San Joaquins route through the Central Valley.[76] In the south, the system would be extended 167 miles (269 km) from Los Angeles to San Diego.[77] Instead of continuing south from Anaheim, it would split off from the Phase 1 route at Los Angeles Union Station and travel east along I-10 before turning south, following an inland route along I-15 or I-215. This would enable high-speed trains to serve the Inland Empire and inland parts of San Diego County, with stops at Ontario International Airport and Escondido. One or more additional stations may be built, in either El Monte, West Covina, Pomona, San Bernardino, Corona, March ARB, or Murrieta.[78]
If the entire Phase 2 is completed, it would bring the total length of the high-speed rail system to 776 miles (1,249 km).[18][76][77] Phase 2 is still early in the planning stages, and would not be constructed until after the completion of Phase 1.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_High-Speed_Rail
Officials estimate it could cost about $35 billion to finish the first line from Bakersfield to Merced and roughly $100 billion more to complete the route from Los Angeles to San Francisco — about $100 billion more than what was originally proposed years ago. And the source of most funds is unclear.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-03-21/high-speed-rail
Despite some progress, state’s high-speed rail is $100 billion short and many years from reality
By Colleen Shalby
Staff Writer
March 21, 2024 3 AM PT
= new reply since forum marked as read