Not much else to add besides what the LA Times is reporting on burgeoning expenses that aren't even burgeoning enough
LOS ANGELES —The California bullet train project has cost state taxpayers an average $3.1 million a day over the last year —a construction spending rate higher than that for the Bay Bridge, Boston's Big Dig or any U.S. transportation project in recent history.
But still it's not enough, planners say. In order to hit its 2033 deadline and $77 billion budget, the California High Speed Rail Authority will have to increase daily spending by up to nine times over the next four years or risk putting the already-delayed system further behind. Russell Fong, the authority's chief financial officer, acknowledges the goals will be difficult to achieve.
Still, officials said they are beginning to ramp up spending, and the estimates were officially adopted by the rail authority board in its 2018 business plan. But outside infrastructure experts question whether the $27 million-a-day outlay necessary under the plan would even be possible.
"That burn rate is ludicrous," said civil engineer James Moore, director of the University of Southern California's transportation engineering program. "It is so far outside standard experience that it doesn't make sense to assume it will occur."
"Outside standard experience". I like that and will use it going forward.
Leave a Reply