Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
CA High-Speed Rail Authority (CAHSRA)

Governor Newsom Recommits to Cal Bullet Train

Then-Mayor and long-time HSR supporter Gavin Newsom on a photo-op with his wife and François Lacôte of the French TGV system during a trip to France. Photo: SF Mayor’s office

California Governor Gavin Newsom has reaffirmed his unequivocal support for California's high-speed rail project in a video and tweet posted yesterday afternoon. "This is the future of transportation in California" he says in the video:

"Let's hear it for our great Governor, for standing up for our state's high-speed rail project even during the hard times! That's called courage and Governor Newsom just showed us that he's made of the right stuff!" wrote Rod Diridon, Sr., Emeritus Chair of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, in an email about the post. "The federal government's new $2 trillion infrastructure bill will help complete the link to the bay area if we're ready. Please tell you local state senators and assembly members that they must confirm that we're ready by approving the revised CHSRA business plan and wishing the project well with a vote of confidence."

Streetsblog readers may recall that back in late 2019, articles in the mainstream press wrote that Newsom was "scrapping" the project. And Anti-HSR (and anti-Democracy) Bakersfield Congressmember Kevin McCarthy also stated, wrongly, that Newsom was stopping the project:

The conclusions of McCarthy and some of the press were based on a confusing segment of Newsom's state of the state speech that year in which he said, among other things, that "Right now, there simply isn’t a path to get from Sacramento to San Diego, let alone from San Francisco to L.A. I wish there were."

Newsom's office immediately clarified that he was not abandoning the project, but was merely expressing concern about how to get it funded through to completion. However, HSR opponents, including those in the mainstream press, continued to misconstrue the statements to mean he was killing it outright, or at lest severely truncating it.

Of course, with the Biden Administration expressing its commitment to HSR regularly now, the path to completion is rapidly solidifying. And with this latest statement from Newsom, any confusion about his determination to see it through has now been obliterated.

Still waiting for some retractions, or at least some corrections, McCarthy et al.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Governor Signs Major Changes to CEQA to Cheers from YIMBYs, Jeers from Environmental Groups

Newsom fast tracked changes to CEQA to fast track development and housing. But what do the changes to the law actually do?

July 1, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

Gov Signs CEQA Bill to Increase Housing, Higher Fees on Parking and Tolls, Opposition to Road Widenings, ICE

July 1, 2025

Does Constant Driving Really Make Our Country Richer?

A new study reveals that constant driving is making America less productive and prosperous — and getting people on other modes could help right the ship.

June 30, 2025

Panel: Doing High-Speed Rail Right

At the APTA conference in San Francisco, representatives from France, Germany, and Japan revealed the secrets behind their high-speed rail success stories.

June 30, 2025

Eyes On the Street: Metro and L.A. City Restore Wilshire Blvd. at New Subway Stations

Construction is winding down on Metro's 3.9-mile $3.35 billion D Line subway extension section 1.

June 30, 2025

Monday’s Headlines

Telsa's Robocars Make Streets Less Safe, ICE messing up California, Heat Is Bad for Cars, Bus Lane Enforcement in Weho and More...

June 30, 2025
See all posts