$128 billion and 30 years later: Is California’s high-speed rail going anywhere?

What does it take to get the public to realize the biggest scam in history has hit them in California?

“The electrification of the Caltrain service between San Francisco and San Jose represents more than a technical milestone. It significantly boosts the public and legislative belief in the viability of California’s high-speed rail. Nick Kingsley shares a cautiously optimistic view, noting that while full high-speed operations might not commence until beyond 2040, the current enhancements are crucial steps toward bridging regional divides in the long run. 

The challenge lies in maintaining and harnessing this public enthusiasm to ensure continuous support. With early wins like the recent electrification track, there’s genuine optimism that the high-speed rail project will materialize and redefine how California connects and grows.”

No where in the fictional article does it mention the over $200 billion cost, the forty years to build and when finished it will be obsolete.  It does not mention that only the very, very rich will be able to afford it—or that it will run only when the unions allow it to run.  Sam Fried-Bankman was a minor crook compared to Newsom and Sacramento.  $200 billion for nothing of use.

$128 billion and 30 years later: Is California’s high-speed rail going anywhere?

California’s high-speed rail project has far surpassed the time it took to build the pyramids

Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 12/27/24  https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/california-high-speed-rail-project-challenges

California’s high-speed rail could soon turn the grueling trip across the state into a swift, scenic ride.

Three hundred and fifty miles might not sound like much, but it’s a world of travel options between Los Angeles and San Francisco. You can fly over in a heartbeat, drive through some stunning scenery, or you could choose to travel via train for about eleven hours. Not exactly ideal, is it? That’s what California thought when they decided it was high time for high-speed rail. 

The Los Angeles to San Francisco route is one of the busiest transit corridors in the United States. Every day, about eleven thousand passengers travel between LAX and SFO, and taking a car along the scenic Highway One or the faster inland I-5 can transform a simple commute into one of the classic American road trips. However, there is no direct rail link, so traveling by train becomes impractical and slow. Even the closest Amtrak mainline station to San Francisco lies inconveniently across the bay in Oakland. 

Recognizing these limitations along with the economic and environmental benefits of uniting the state’s largest urban centers more effectively, California authorities proposed a fast rail link three decades ago. If the predictions are correct, the project might take about twice as long as it took to construct the Egyptian Pyramids. 

But what does it take to bring such an ambitious project to life, and why is it taking so long? To answer these questions, we’ve turned to experts Boris Lipkin, Northern California Regional Director of the California High-speed Rail Authority, and Nick Kingsley, Executive Editor at Railway Gazette International. Their expert perspectives give us a 360-degree view of the economic and political challenges interfering with this project’s success. 

Faster together: Bridging California’s divide

The main reason for enhancing connectivity is the disparity in regional economies between Los Angeles, the tech powerhouse Bay Area, and the relatively lagging Central Valley. These key regions are currently disjointed, with significant travel burdens that negatively impact social and economic interactions. High-speed rail isn’t just about speeding up travel between points A and B. It is about integrating endpoints and the spaces in between to transform regional accessibility radically. 

As Boris Lipkin explains, “High-speed rail can do is not just connect the endpoints, but also connect the places in between and tie them together. So a trip from Fresno to Silicon Valley goes from being a three-hour trip to a one-hour train ride.” Such improvements in connectivity could draw these diverse parts of the state into a tighter economic and cultural embrace, giving equal opportunities for growth across the state.

Challenges in developing high-speed rail

During a comprehensive interview, Boris Lipkin and Nick Kingsley shared with Interesting Engineering the principal challenges stalling this project.  

Lack of precedents and infrastructure modernization

One of the significant challenges in developing high-speed rail in North America is the absence of purpose-built intercity rail systems. Existing services, such as those in the Northeast Amtrak Corridor, rely on legacy infrastructure that supports moderately fast journey times but falls short of true high-speed standards. Modernizing these systems to accommodate high-speed rail involves complex engineering and substantial financial investment.

Integrating rail lines into urban centers

Integrating high-speed rail into densely populated urban centers poses another complex challenge. For instance, California plans to extend the high-speed rail into downtown areas using existing corridors, such as the Caltrain route from San Jose to San Francisco. 

However, the last segments into the city centers would not support high-speed travel due to shared tracks with commuter trains. Additionally, geographic hurdles such as mountain ranges north of Los Angeles add to the cost and complexity, making the engineering work particularly challenging.

Planning and regulatory hurdles

Another major hurdle involves the planning and regulatory processes required to develop new railway infrastructure. Unlike in some countries where rail projects can proceed with few barriers, in the United States, particularly in California, the level of environmental clearance and the need to navigate through numerous local administrations create a prolonged and often contentious planning phase. Fierce opposition in regions like the Central Valley makes the situation even more complicated. 

Land acquisition and utility relocation

Acquiring the necessary land and relocating utilities represent substantial logistical challenges. For the 119-mile section under construction, over 2300 parcels of land needed negotiation for acquisition, and 1800 utilities had to be moved, with more than 900 in Fresno alone. Often, utility companies are unaware of exactly what lies beneath, leading to unexpected discoveries that necessitate redesigns and further delay progress.

Current progress and technical challenges

Unlike air travel, which provides point-to-point connectivity, rail systems offer the advantage of intermediate stops, which can significantly enhance regional connectivity. The design of the rail route intentionally avoids a direct path in favor of one that enters the Central Valley. This would help link underserved communities to major urban centers. The project aims to boost local economies and address environmental concerns like air quality in some of California’s fastest-growing regions.

The construction on the Central Valley stretch is currently underway, marking a crucial phase in the rail system’s development. This segment is vital as it forms the backbone of the route connecting the northern and southern parts of the state.

Tunneling challenges

A major engineering challenge lies in constructing tunnels through mountain ranges that separate the Central Valley from the Bay Area and Southern California. The project plans include some of the longest rail tunnels in the United States, with the Northern California tunnel extending approximately 13.5 miles and the Southern counterpart close to 13 miles. 

These tunnels are absolutely necessary for the rail line, allowing it to get through difficult terrain and maintain high-speed capabilities. However, construction has not yet started, as detailed geotechnical investigations are required. Since tunneling requires extensive planning and preparation, these investigations are expected to take around three years. 

Geotechnical investigations

When it comes to Northern California, the complexity of the terrain necessitates thorough geotechnical studies to ensure the viability and safety of the tunnel structures. This phase is critical as it sets the timeline for the following construction activities. It involves thorough analysis to understand the area’s geological features and directly influences the design and engineering approach for the tunnels.

Funding challenges

The piecemeal nature of the project’s progress, with some parts under construction and others still in the planning stages, is largely attributed to funding challenges. Unlike many global high-speed rail projects that receive substantial central government funding, California has faced a significant shortfall. This lack of federal funding has slowed certain aspects of the project, making it challenging to maintain a consistent pace across all construction phases.

Public perception and future outlook

Introducing electrified Caltrain services in the Bay Area has significantly heightened public interest and enthusiasm for the high-speed rail project. Boris Lipkin reflects on the visible excitement among the community, noting how the modern electric trains, a first in a 150-year-old corridor, have sparked conversations and anticipation among commuters and families, including young students. 

This excitement is expected to boost public support as people see tangible signs of progress and innovation directly impacting their daily lives.

The electrification of the Caltrain service between San Francisco and San Jose represents more than a technical milestone. It significantly boosts the public and legislative belief in the viability of California’s high-speed rail. Nick Kingsley shares a cautiously optimistic view, noting that while full high-speed operations might not commence until beyond 2040, the current enhancements are crucial steps toward bridging regional divides in the long run. 

The challenge lies in maintaining and harnessing this public enthusiasm to ensure continuous support. With early wins like the recent electrification track, there’s genuine optimism that the high-speed rail project will materialize and redefine how California connects and grows.