Trump Reluctant to Fund: California's High-Speed Rail Project Leaves Voters in Central Area Short-Changed by President.
California's ambitious high-speed rail project, initially planned to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles in less than three hours by 2020, is now moving into the track-laying phase. As of July 2025, about 171 miles are under active construction and design, with the aim of providing initial train service in the early 2030s.
However, the project faces a significant financial challenge following the withdrawal of $4 billion in federal funding by the Trump administration. The federal funds, allocated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), were terminated in July 2025, citing a "no viable path" forward in a compliance review and criticizing state mismanagement and delays. California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and the High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri, have disputed this decision, arguing that the project has met federal obligations and is progressing well, with over 15,000 jobs created and substantial infrastructure milestones achieved.
Despite the federal funding withdrawal, the state government remains committed to continuing and accelerating the project. The focus has shifted to building only the Central Valley segment of the planned San Francisco-to-Los Angeles route, with the cost of the project having more than tripled and the completion date now slated for 2033. The initial segment will connect two smaller cities in the Central Valley.
The California State Rail Plan, launched by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), will set the stage for new and improved rail and community connections in the state for the next 20 years. Caltrans is beginning work on the next California State Rail Plan, which will provide the framework for California's rail network.
Construction on the initial segment is underway, with President Trump stating on Tuesday that the federal government will not pay for California's high-speed train. Governor Newsom, however, discussed plans to scale back the state's high-speed rail project during his first State of the State address. The governor visited China in 2023 to observe their high-speed rail system, and he visited Bakersfield in January to tout progress on the project.
The high-speed rail train is facing opposition in politically red cities where many residents voted for Trump. The crossing at Rosecrans and Marquardt, a major intersection traversed by over 110 freight and passenger trains and over 52,000 vehicles every day, has seen three deaths and 19 other accidents in the last three years.
Despite these challenges, California is moving forward with its high-speed rail project, aiming to provide a faster, more efficient transportation option for its residents in the coming years.
References:
- California High-Speed Rail
- Federal Railroad Administration
- California High-Speed Rail Authority
- Governor Gavin Newsom
- Amidst the financial challenge of lost federal funds for the California high-speed rail project, the state continues to push forward, focusing on the Central Valley segment of the San Francisco-to-Los Angeles route.
- The California State Rail Plan, a long-term vision for rail and community connections in the state, is being updated by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), to facilitate California's Rail network.
- The high-speed rail project faces opposition in certain politically red cities, as residents express concerns over safety at major intersections such as Rosecrans and Marquardt.
- Politics and policy-and-legislation play a crucial role, with Governor Gavin Newsom scaling back the state's high-speed rail project and seeking insights from other countries like China that have successfully implemented high-speed rail systems. The industry, finance, environment, community news, transportation, and general-news sectors remain closely connected to these developments in California.
