Price Tag Increases Again on High Speed Rail in California

With costs rising from $40 billion to $105 billion, the California High-Speed Rail project is still moving slowly along, though with a heftier price tag.

2 minute read

February 14, 2022, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) recently released the draft 2022 business plan for the California High-Speed Rail project. The draft business plan adds another $5 billion in cost to the already delayed and increasingly expensive project.

An article published by Roads & Bridges shares news of the new business plan, aggregating original coverage by Kathleen Ronayne for the Associated Press.

As noted by both articles, the estimated cost of the project was $40 billion when voters approved bond funding for the project in 2008. The project estimate now totals $105 billion.

Both articles provide coverage of the current funding opportunities in the mix for the project. California Governor Gavin Newsom's draft budget for the year, for example, proposes billions of dollars for rail and transportation projects, which could contribute funding if approved by the State Legislature. Meanwhile, Democrats in the California State Legislature closed out the 2021 legislative session by trying to revoke funding from the 2008 bond.

Then there is the federal government's see-sawing support for the project:

"Back in May 2019, the Federal Railroad Administration announced it was officially terminating its agreement with the CHSRA for the high-speed rail project, canceling nearly $1 billion in funding," according to Roads and Bridges. The Biden administration has since returned the funding, according to the article.

Governor Newsom has also wavered in support of the project in the past: In February 2019, Newsom announced plans to scale back the high-speed rail project.

Wednesday, February 9, 2022 in Roads and Bridges

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects

Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Google maps street view of San Francisco alleyway.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’

A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

September 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Google street view of yellow "End Freeway 1/4 mile" sign on 90 freeway in Los Angeles, California.

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing

A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

September 26, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Report: Bike Lanes Can't Make up for New Roads

If California wants to meet its climate goals, the state must stop funding its myriad road construction and expansion projects.

September 29 - Streetsblog California

Late evening view of downtown Minneapolis skyline with stone bridge in foreground

Minneapolis Affordable Housing Project Largest in 20 Years

The city opened its first large multifamily affordable housing complex in decades, but a recent court ruling against the Minneapolis 2040 rezoning plan could jeopardize future projects.

September 29 - Minnesota Public Radio

Close-up of vertical PARK sign on multistory urban parking garage.

NYC Mayor Proposes Eliminating Parking Minimums

Mayor Adams wants to stop requiring off-site parking for new buildings to reduce the costs of construction as part of the ‘City of Yes’ package of zoning reforms.

September 29 - StreetsBlog NYC

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.