Washington, DC – A dozen Members of Congress today, led by Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Ranking Member Rick Crawford (R-AR), wrote to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg detailing their concerns with providing any additional federal funds to California’s high speed rail project, which has met with significant cost overruns and delays since 2008. The Members asked the Secretary to justify any funding the project is slated to receive through the Department’s programs.
Joining Crawford on the letter were Reps. Michelle Steel (R-CA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Mike Garcia (R-CA), Michael Guest (R-MS), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Scott Perry (R-PA), David Valadao (R-CA), and Bruce Westerman (R-AR).
In their letter, the Members note that recent praise from DOT and the Federal Railroad Administration “…ignores the troubling fact that the California high speed rail project is exorbitant, costly and perpetually behind schedule.This venture represents a glaring illustration of poor planning and massive taxpayer waste. As such, the project should not receive funding or support from the DOT.”
They then catalogue the long list of issues the rail project has experienced and conclude: “Unfortunately, it appears the only certainty for the California high speed rail project under the Biden Administration is more wasteful federal funding redirected from more worthwhile transportation projects and programs.Instead of pursuing the frivolous desire to ‘lead the world’ in high speed rail, this Administration should focus on providing Americans with the safe, affordable, and practical infrastructure they demand.”
The Members requested answers to several questions, including the amount of federal funding the project is expected to receive, justifications for such funds and the reversal of a 2019 FRA rescission of $929 million in unused project funds, and DOT plans to ensure accountability for any funding to the project.
Original source can be found here.
