(KMJ) What will the federal government do with that $4 Billion that has been yanked from the troubled High Speed Rail Project?
Rep. Vince Fong has an idea. The Bakersfield Congressman fired off a formal letter Tuesday to Sec. Sean Duffy urging the Dept. of Transportation shift that money to much-needed infrastructure projects and overdue improvements to State Route 99, I-5, I-15 and many other freeways ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
“Following the termination of these Cooperative Agreements last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation recovered $4 billion in needed infrastructure funds,” wrote the lawmakers. “We respectfully request that these funds be redirected to critical infrastructure projects in California that have been sidelined in favor of the failed High Speed Rail project. With the Administration’s leadership, we believe we can move past costly pipe dreams and focus on real, achievable infrastructure solutions that truly serve the needs of our communities, such as advancing California’s most essential roadway enhancements.”
The letter was co-signed by several other California republican Representatives, including David Valadao, Kevin Kiley and Tom McClintock.
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the California High Speed Rail Authority is suing the Trump administration for pulling $4 billion for the overdue bullet train.
The lawsuit claims that termination of the agreements is “petty, political retribution” motivated by President Donald Trump’s “personal animus” toward California and the high-speed rail project.
“Trump’s termination of federal grants for California high-speed rail reeks of politics. It’s yet another political stunt to punish California,” said Newsom in a statement.
