High-Speed Rail Not the Only Massive Public Works Project on the Chopping Block

California Governor Gavin Newsom wants to reduce the size of the $17 billion WaterFix project that plans for two tunnels under the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta.

February 14, 2019, 11am PST | James Brasuell | @CasualBrasuell

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"Gov. Gavin Newsom, diving into one of California’s most contentious water issues, said Tuesday he wants to downsize the Delta tunnels project," report Dale Kasler and Ryan Sabalow.

Governor Newsom made the announcement about his plans to reduce the size and scale of the California WaterFix project during his first state-of-the-state address, the same venue for a bombshell announcement about reconfiguring the California High-Speed Rail project.

"Newsom said he wants the twin-tunnel project — designed to re-engineer the troubled estuary that serves as the hub of California’s elaborate water-delivery system — reduced to a single tunnel," according to Kasler and Sabalow.

"The announcement likely means WaterFix would require a fresh set of environmental reviews before it can proceed, translating into additional delays for a project that’s been in the planning stage for more than a decade and will take an estimated 15 years to build."

Full Story:

California Gov. Gavin Newsom downsizes Delta water project: one tunnel, not two

Published on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 in Sacramento Bee