Call to Scrap California High-Speed Rail Project After Latest Setback
Summary
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri resigned after a tenure marked by delays, rising projected costs and scrutiny of consultant travel expenses. The authority appointed state Finance Director Joe Stephenshaw as interim CEO and said it plans to continue the project, while state Senator Tony Strickland renewed calls to end it.Key Facts
- Choudri said he was stepping down to focus on personal and family priorities.
- The authority’s reported cost estimate has risen from $45 billion to between $126 billion and $231 billion.
- The project has not yet laid track, according to the article.
- State investigators found that the authority paid $592,900 for consultant travel expenses that appeared to violate state rules.
- The authority lost more than $4 billion in federal funding under President Donald Trump’s administration, the article reported.
- The board unanimously appointed Joe Stephenshaw, the state Department of Finance director, as interim CEO.
- The board authorized the purchase of the first three trainsets and said it would consider final environmental clearance for the Los Angeles-to-Anaheim segment.
- Republican state Senator Tony Strickland called for the project to be scrapped.
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