Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In

Those of us that either grew up or had our children grow up with Thomas the Tank Engine, are familiar with the stern rail master who chides the personified trains when their goofiness caused some catastrophe on the rail lines.

"You have caused CONFUSION AND DELAY!" Sir Topham Hatt would exclaim.

The child-like train would shed a tear and slink off, admonished and ashamed.

James'_crying_in_Thomas_Episode_1
Vain but lots of fun.

When I saw the agenda for this week's California High Speed Rail Authority Board Meeting, I pictured Hatt chiding the legislature for failing in their ministerial duties to release Prop 1a Funds approved by voters in 2008. The authority was planning to use the funds to cover construction and operations starting in November 1, but the legislature did not include the funds in the budget it sent to Governor Newsom even though Newsom had included the funds in the draft he sent the legislature.

And now we can start to see the real-world results of the "confusion and delay" a few key legislators have caused.

In the budget update to its board of directors, agency staff announced it is preparing for a future where funding is held back, endangering tens of thousands of jobs and causing more delays and cost overruns to the project.

From the July 2021 budget update for the California High Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors.
From the July 2021 budget update for the California High Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors.
From the July 2021 budget update for the California High Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors.

So while scientifically illiterate legislators prattle on about battery powered trains that might someday avoid the need for electrified overhead wire, there are real world impacts.

Contracts will be cancelled or not renewed.

A concrete pour for CAHSRA's Poso Creek viaduct. Photo: CAHSRA
A concrete pour for CAHSRA's Poso Creek viaduct. Photo: CAHSRA
A concrete pour for CAHSRA's Poso Creek viaduct. Photo: CAHSRA

Workers, as those seen above, will be laid off.

The country's signature transportation project to combat climate change will be indefinitely delayed, just as funds are becoming available in Washington to complete the project--exactly the situation these same legislators once claimed they were waiting to see materialize.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on September 23. One can't help but wonder if the legislature would be so cavalier with tens of thousands of jobs if the Board's new budget would be decided ten days earlier...the day before the Governor's recall election.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Friday’s Headlines

Updates on Quick Build in Sacramento, Sunset Dunes in San Francisco, E-Bike vouchers everywhere and more...

April 25, 2025

To Oakland’s Incoming District 2 Councilperson Charlene Wang: Help Stop this Freeway Widening

Oakland and the rest of the Bay Area can't move towards safer streets until they stop moving backwards

April 24, 2025

Strap In: California Will Open Its E-Bike Voucher Portal Again on 4/29

Given the chaotic experience with the first application portal opening, it’s probably a good idea for applicants to be ready with all of the necessary documentation.

April 24, 2025

Breaking: US DOT is Coming For America’s ‘DEI’ Dollars, Threatening ‘Sanctuary’ Cities With Pulled Funds

Advocates are raising the alarm about yet another vague and disturbingly broad letter from Sean Duffy — and the fierce battle that's likely to follow it.

April 24, 2025
See all posts