California High-Speed Rail Project Faces Federal Review, Funding Threats

The California high-speed rail project, initially budgeted at $33 billion, is now projected to cost up to $106 billion and faces significant delays, prompting a federal review by the Trump administration that threatens to withdraw $4 billion in funding. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has criticized the project's management, calling it a 'waste of taxpayers' money' and highlighting the project's lack of progress towards its goal of completing a 171-mile segment by 2033. Despite these challenges, California Governor Gavin Newsom remains optimistic about the project, which still has support from a majority of Californians. However, state officials are grappling with financial hurdles, as they may need an additional $6.5 billion to complete the initial segment, while Republican lawmakers propose legislation to halt further federal aid. The project's history of budget overruns and missed deadlines has led to increasing scrutiny and skepticism about its viability. As the investigation unfolds, the future of the rail project remains uncertain, with its completion timeline in jeopardy.