California High-Speed Rail Project Should Be Canceled, Author Argues
Ian Choudri's resignation as CEO is seen as a political maneuver that won't salvage a troubled project plagued by cost overruns and lack of progress.
The recent resignation of California High-Speed Rail CEO Ian Choudri is a signal that the ambitious project should be terminated, according to an opinion piece in the New York Post.
When Governor Gavin Newsom took office in 2019, he acknowledged significant issues with the high-speed rail plan, stating in his first "State of the State" address that the project was "over budget, behind schedule, and has seen too little oversight and not enough transparency." Newsom also noted that the project, as then-planned, lacked a viable route connecting major Californian cities.
Despite these concerns, Newsom maintained focus on a segment intended to link Merced and Bakersfield. The author of the opinion piece argues that there was never a public demand for a passenger link between these two smaller cities, suggesting that special interests, including contractors, unions, and the state itself seeking federal funding, were primary drivers of the project's continuation.
Originally estimated at $33 billion and scheduled for completion by 2020, the project's scope has drastically changed. It has since ballooned into a $231 billion undertaking, covering less than half the distance originally envisioned.
Choudri's departure comes after reports of alleged financial improprieties concerning consultant travel expenses, which amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars. This occurred despite a prior domestic violence arrest earlier in the year, from which Choudri was retained by the authority.
The timing of Choudri's resignation shortly after gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra indicated he would likely fire Choudri if elected, suggests a political motivation. The California High-Speed Rail Authority may be attempting to appease the incoming administration by offering Choudri as a "sacrificial lamb," potentially allowing the project to continue under new leadership. However, the author contends that the project is fundamentally flawed and beyond salvaging, regardless of who is at the helm.
The piece concludes by suggesting that California faces more pressing transportation needs, such as addressing coastal route erosion between San Diego and Los Angeles, and combating cargo theft. The author advocates for the next governor to cancel the high-speed rail project and reallocate its funding to more feasible transportation initiatives.