Posted on 11/15/2018 11:52:03 AM PST by Jim Robinson
California’s embattled high-speed rail project has been beset by “flawed decision making and poor contract management” that have led to billions of dollars in cost overruns and significant delays in construction in the San Joaquin Valley, according a report issued Thursday by state Auditor Elaine Howle.
Howle’s audit, requested earlier this year by the state Legislature, is a sharp critique of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the agency tasked with planning and developing the state’s bullet-train system.
Among its key findings is that the authority, in an effort to beat the clock on a federal deadline for spending stimulus grant funds, awarded a contract for its first construction segment in the Valley long before it had finished planning, acquired enough land or fully assessed other potential risks to cost and schedule.
“Despite being aware of risks associated with beginning construction before completing critical planning tasks, the Authority began construction in 2013 – a decision that has led to contract changes, project delays and cost overruns,” the report states.
(Excerpt) Read more at fresnobee.com ...
They’re still making the mistake of thinking that the purpose of this project is to construct a bullet train. In fact, the purpose of the project is to line the pockets of contractors, consultants and unions. The delays and cost overruns are a feature, not a bug.
I guess they don’t teach the words oversight and accountability in schools anymore.
> billions of dollars in cost overruns and significant delays in construction in the San Joaquin Valley, according a report issued Thursday by state Auditor Elaine Howle <
I think I see the problem here. State Auditor Howle is not a team player. Fire her. Then replace her with someone who has the right attitude.
Those billions go into somebody’s politically connected pocket.
—wondering how much Dianne Feinstein and hubbie will clear out of this—??
People keep forgetting what the goal of this project is!
Work for favored county & state constriction contractors, jobs for voters, PR ceremonies for politicians. A finished working rail line? Not so much! Assume its finished, Will it ever pay for itself? Stupid question ! Why does it need to, you can always reach deep into the average Californians bank account! In fact they seem to like it! The state does it all the time. Also if necessary the Congressional delegation can swindle out a federal subsidy! Way to go California a Win-Win....Win!
The ultimate sting
Give hubby a contract to build a jail at Gitmo...he has to visit ...leave him there.
Having been in business prior to politics, Gov.Scott knew how to look at financial projections (unlike the Moonbeam) and saw how quickly the burden would come down on the Florida taxpayers for this white elephant. So, against a lot of embedded interests, he cancelled Florida's effort and gave the money back to Obama who then granted it to California's effort. I don't seem to remember California thanking us for that ... strange that!
And Jim, don’t forget, the Bullet Train’s “riders” for the foreseeable future will be illegal alien farm workers moving up and down the Central Valley picking crops! I just imagine, that Brown’s Clowns will offer them “free passes,” which will make this RAT Boondoggle complete!
There has never (i.e NEVER) been a successful railroad in the U.S. that has/had not been heavily subsidized by the taxpayers. Perhaps not even globally.
The article can be summed up simply: Just another democrat government project.
When are they going to investigate Governor Brown and his regime?
Hey. Crooks have to eat too.
Great point!
i know, i was that Common Core Arithmetic... right???
Can’t site now, but read a detailed article that said, every public railroad must be subsided. Only Tokyo to Yokohama, and Paris to Lyon are close to making a profit.
Oh, that is just sooo cynical!
(All quite true, however heh heh).
When I lived in the once-golden-state, and interacted with uberliberals on a daily basis, I never heard one person (not one) say that they were looking forward to the high speed rail.
Why on earth would anyone pay the same money (contrary to claims) to go from north state to south state at a much greater time in travel?
There is essentially no demand for the high speed rail, and everyone knows this.
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