How California's High-Speed Rail Progress Compares To Texas
3 minute readPublished: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 12:51 pm
California vs. Texas High-Speed Rail: A Tale of Two Projects
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office is touting the progress of the state's high-speed rail project, contrasting it sharply with the stalled plans in Texas. The Golden State's project, approved by voters in 2008, aims to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles with a 494-mile route. In contrast, Texas is proposing a 240-mile link between Dallas and Houston, but construction has yet to begin.
Newsom's office released a statement emphasizing California's tangible progress, highlighting 171 miles of track under development, 119 miles under active construction, and 52 major structures built. They also noted that 463 miles of track have cleared environmental reviews. The statement contrasted this with the Texas project, which remains largely on paper. California anticipates early high-speed rail operations between 2030 and 2033, while Texas has no set date.
Both projects have faced political headwinds. President Donald Trump, a vocal critic of the California project, attempted to cut federal funding. While some funding was restored under President Biden, the project continues to face scrutiny. A formal federal review is underway to assess California's compliance with funding requirements. Meanwhile, federal funding for the Texas project has been scrapped.
The California project's spokesperson, Daniel Villaseor, responded to Trump's criticism, defending the project's progress and warning against abandoning it. The future of the California project hinges on continued funding, with potential decisions looming if federal support is withdrawn.
BNN's Perspective: While the political battles surrounding high-speed rail are undeniable, it's important to acknowledge the significant investment and progress made in California. The Texas project, still in its early stages, faces an uphill battle. Regardless of political affiliation, investing in infrastructure that can improve transportation and create jobs is a worthwhile endeavor.
Keywords: California High-Speed Rail, Texas High-Speed Rail, Gavin Newsom, Donald Trump, High-Speed Rail, Infrastructure, Transportation, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Federal Funding, Construction, Environmental Review, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy