• mean_bean279@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    It’s more the fact that our topography is extremely difficult to make level to the degree that true high speed rail needs. Most of the environmental review, and land acquisition (the hardest and legal parts) are mostly wrapped up from San Jose into LA now.

    The bigger issue with what’s made this project take more time IMO (and as a California resident) is that we basically refused the help of high speed rail engineers and designers from the EU and Japan. They showed up the day after the initial prop passed to help and we turned them away. We like to try and do things our own way here in Cali and sometimes that really bites us in the ass. I’d rather have some of those tax dollars “leave” the state or country in exchange for knowledgeable people helping us get it done faster.

    Also, I’d advise anybody who can to drive around the Central Valley. The scale of high speed rail projects and the size of them is INSANE. Especially compared to the surrounding environment.