The California high-speed rail project has been plagued by delays, cost overruns, and controversy since its inception. But how bad is it really? This episode takes a closer look at the project's history, its current state, and the people affected by it.
The project, which was initially estimated to cost $33.5 billion, has now ballooned to a staggering $230 billion. The state has spent nearly $6 billion in delay and change order fees to contractors, with some companies raking in $170,000 a day in delay fees. The project's CEO, Ian Chowdhury, admits that the process has been flawed from the start, and that building happened too soon. But despite these setbacks, Chowdhury remains optimistic, saying that with proper funding, the project will be up and running by 2039.
But what about the people affected by this project? We hear from a farmer who had 81 acres of his land taken by the state for the project, and a business owner who has seen his property disrupted by the constant construction. The state's handling of the project has been criticized by many, including the inspector general, who says that the project's plan is dramatically incomplete and needs to be revised.
If you want to understand the full extent of the California high-speed rail project's problems, tune in to this episode to hear the shocking truth. Join us as we explore the project's history, its current state, and the people affected by it.
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