High-speed fail

Nov 19, 2022
Nov 19, 2022 Updated Apr 13, 2025
3

Editor,

Wow, the Northern California regional director of high-speed rail had quite the telling comment in his letter. He stated: “current estimates are that it will cost between $77 billion and $133 billion.”

(3) comments

Terence Y Nov 19, 2022 9:16am

C.J. - thanks for your letter. However, at the current rate if the project is given continued taxpayer largesse, I’d say the proposed $1 trillion price tag from Mr. Kopp is well within the realm of possibility. Union labor isn’t cheap, and won’t get any cheaper.

Ray Fowler Nov 19, 2022 9:58am

Thanks, C.J. for keeping the high-speed rail conversation going in the DJ.

Director Boris Lipkin was quick to criticize Judge Kopp in his "High-speed rail continues to deliver" LTE published two days ago. Boris led with, “Everybody is entitled to their opinion… “ That’s fair.

Boris disputes Judge Kopp’s claim that the project approved in 2008 had an original price tag of 33 billion dollars. However, you will find that number online for what it would cost to join LA and San Francisco with a high-speed rail system in twelve years. Looks like the project missed its 2020 completion date. Even Boris estimates that the project may cost as much as 113 billion dollars to ultimately link LA and San Francisco. Wow… that’s a 300% accounting error.

I do agree with Boris’ statement that everyone is entitled to an opinion, and I agree with Judge Kopp’s opinion… the high-speed rail project is a boondoggle.

edkahl Nov 20, 2022 11:19am

Or Willie Brown's famous comment "first you dig the hole, then fill it with money"

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