California's High-Speed Rail Project Costs Balloon to $126B with No Tracks Laid

Critics call the LA-to-San Francisco project a 'train to nowhere' as costs quadruple original estimates

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:52pm

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California's long-delayed high-speed rail project connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco is now estimated to cost $126 billion, nearly four times the $33 billion price tag presented to voters in 2008. Despite the ballooning costs, no tracks have been laid and the earliest projected opening is now 2033, far later than originally promised. Critics, including a Republican member of the House Transportation Committee, have called the project a 'train to nowhere' and a 'glaring example of structural mismanagement' that should be canceled.

Why it matters

The California high-speed rail project has become a symbol of government waste and mismanagement, with costs spiraling out of control and no tangible progress to show for it. The project's failures have fueled criticism of Democrat-led initiatives and provided ammunition for political attacks, while also raising questions about the state's ability to deliver on ambitious infrastructure projects.

The details

The California High Speed Rail Authority now estimates the total cost of the project at $126 billion, up from the $33 billion price tag presented to voters in 2008. Despite this massive cost increase, no tracks have been laid and the earliest projected opening is now 2033, far later than originally promised. Critics, including Republican Rep. Vince Fong, have lambasted the project as a 'train to nowhere' that has wasted billions in taxpayer dollars. Fong has sought oversight and accountability, noting that there have been 597 change orders costing more than $2.3 billion, nearly 7% of the initial $33 billion estimate.

  • In 2008, the high-speed rail project was presented to California voters with a $33 billion price tag.
  • In 2019, California Gov. Gavin Newsom cast doubt on the full San Francisco-to-Los Angeles plan.
  • As of November 2025, there have been 597 change orders costing more than $2.3 billion.
  • In 2026, the current estimated cost of the project is $126 billion.
  • The earliest projected opening of the high-speed rail is now 2033.

The players

Anthony Williams

A board member of the California High Speed Rail Authority who stated the current cost estimate for the project is $126 billion.

Vince Fong

A Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California and a member of the House Transportation Committee, who has criticized the high-speed rail project as a 'train to nowhere' and called for its cancellation.

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic governor of California who cast doubt on the full San Francisco-to-Los Angeles plan for the high-speed rail project in 2019.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who called California's high-speed rail project 'the worst cost overrun' he had ever seen.

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary who stated the Trump administration defunded Newsom's 'disaster' of a high-speed rail project and created the first 'Trump Infrastructure Dividend' to fund critical projects that enhance safety on rail networks across America.

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What they’re saying

“Today, we estimate with the right optimization just over $125 billion. I think $126 billion is the current estimate for that.”

— Anthony Williams, California High Speed Rail Authority board member

“We're now in 2026: There are no trains; there's no track laid; it was a complete bait and switch.”

— Vince Fong, U.S. Representative, California

“There were mistakes made. Some of the criticism on this project I think are very fair.”

— Toks Omishakin, California Transportation Secretary

“This administration is working to usher in a Golden Age of Transportation. That vision includes high speed rail and we're exploring opportunities to efficiently build that infrastructure in America.”

— Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary

“What this administration won't stand for is boondoggle projects like Newsom's Train to Nowhere that wasted billions in taxpayer dollars yet delivered nothing to the American people.”

— Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary

What’s next

The House Transportation Committee, led by Rep. Vince Fong, is expected to continue its oversight and push for greater accountability on the high-speed rail project's cost overruns and lack of progress.

The takeaway

California's high-speed rail project has become a cautionary tale about the dangers of government mismanagement and cost overruns on ambitious infrastructure projects. The ballooning costs and lack of tangible progress have fueled political attacks and eroded public trust, raising questions about the state's ability to deliver on its transportation promises.