Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR

President Trump announced plans to rescind funding for the California High-Speed Rail project, reports Erik Garcia for The Fresno Bee.

“Trump’s attacks come just weeks after California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri said during a Fresno visit that ‘my hope is that the federal partnership continues.’” Trump, on the other hand, has been attacking the project since his first term, when he rescinded $1 billion (later restored under the Biden administration). A USDOT audit of the project ordered by the president is not yet complete.

Trump’s statement could put $4 billion in federal funding in jeopardy. “State funds have covered most of the bullet train project’s costs, so far, though officials have said support from the federal government is important to keeping the project on track,” Garcia adds.

The project has been moving ahead in the Central Valley, where an agency spokesperson says 119 miles of track are under active construction. “Last week, the authority’s board approved a $14 million contract for the second design phase of the four high-speed rail stations planned for the Central Valley, which will focus on the design of the Fresno station.” The rail authority says it has enough contingency funding to pay for upcoming Central Valley design projects, but the loss could impact the project further down the line.