Twelve Republican members of the House of Representatives recently sent a letter to Pete Buttigieg, Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary, expressing concern over federal funding for California’s high speed rail project.
The project, a line between Los Angeles and San Francisco, had a proposed cost of approximately $33 billion in 2008 and was to begin service in 2020. Several delays have occurred, and now the cost is approximately $100 billion, and no estimated date for the start of services.
In addition, communities have struggled to acquire land and have been forced to handle ongoing work zones.
The Congress members requested five questions about the project be answered in writing by May 5.
Questions include the status of litigation discussions with the State of California related to the $929 million in federal funding previously withdrawn due to project issues; the amount of federal funding the California high speed rail project is expected to receive based on the department’s analysis of the financial records and formula grants; and the department’s plans to ensure accountability and transparency, so federal funding for the California high speed rail project is spent responsibly and meets metrics.