California begins laying high-speed rail tracks, with future federal funding in question

William Melhado, The Sacramento Bee on Jan 6, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California’s high-speed rail project took the first step toward laying tracks during a press conference Monday outside Bakersfield, dismissing critics of the long-awaited bullet train’s progress.

“To the cynics that are filled with cynicism, that stand on the sidelines and don’t engage, we’re here making this thing work,” Newsom said.

Flanked by local leaders and railroad officials, Newsom announced the state is ready to begin building high-speed rail tracks in a 22-mile stretch in Kern County after completing a number of prerequisite structures, such as overpasses. The governor stressed much of the permitting and other preliminary efforts has occurred behind the scenes.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority, which seeks to build a high-speed rail line from Los Angeles to San Francisco, has been beleaguered by delays and increasing costs. Those have caught the attention of Republicans in Congress and incoming federal officials, who have criticized the project’s spending as wasteful.

With the executive and legislative branches now in the GOP’s control, the rail project’s future funding could be in jeopardy.

Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Roseville, filed legislation to eliminate federal funding for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. Kiley, who sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, called the project in a social media post the “single greatest example of waste and inefficiency in American history.”

Newsom alluded to threats from the incoming federal administration during Monday’s press conference.

“No one’s naive about the headwinds that are coming our way,” Newsom said. “But we withstood those a few years back and we were able to continue to move forward.”

President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory commission aimed at dramatically cutting federal spending. The newly created DOGE has targeted the project’s spending, recently noting that high-speed rail plan has received $6.8 billion in federal funds.

The rail authority is seeking $8 billion in additional federal funding over the next five years, according to the agency’s 2024 draft business plan.

While celebrating the project’s successes, such as the procurement of 2,270 parcels within the first 119-miles of the proposed route, Newsom acknowledged there have been delays and funding gaps.

“We just have to accept the responsibility of where we are,” he said. Newsom said he expected to close the remaining funding gap needed to complete the rail line between Merced and Bakersfield, the bullet train’s revised line after the Los Angeles-San Francisco route proved too costly.

The governor said the project’s benefits are more than just improved infrastructure. He said it was an economic development opportunity for the Central Valley.

“I deeply am mindful that people out here feel left behind,” Newsom said, standing in front of railroad tracks and a banner reading, “Rail Work in Progress!”

The governor’s office said that the initiative has created 14,500 jobs since the bullet train project began.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dryer said in a statement that the rail project is a transformative opportunity for his city.

“It’s not just about getting people where they need to go faster — it’s about connecting our community to the broader state and driving economic growth that will revitalize our downtown and beyond,” Dyer said.

The governor’s office said passenger service is expected to begin between 2030 and 2033.

Ian Choudri, the rail authority CEO, said the state is now ready to build a railhead — a freight yard that receives building materials to begin track-laying work — which enables the state to begin laying tracks for the bullet train.

Choudri touted the coordination between the High Speed Rail Authority and two other transportation agencies, Brightline West and High Desert Corridor, that would expand the footprint of high-speed rail in the southwest.

“These networks will seamlessly link communities, those regional economies and offer a sustainably, efficient mode of transportation for generations to come,” Choudri said.

_____