15年花70 亿美元，“世界最大烂尾工程”命悬一线

Core Viewpoint - The California high-speed rail project has faced significant criticism and setbacks, with nearly $7 billion spent over 15 years without laying a single foot of track, leading to questions about its viability and future funding [1][7][15]. Group 1: Project Criticism and Funding Issues - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the California High-Speed Rail Authority for wasting nearly $7 billion over 15 years without any track laid, labeling it a "disaster" [1][7]. - Duffy threatened to withdraw approximately $4 billion in federal funding if the California High-Speed Rail Authority did not provide a satisfactory explanation by July 11 [7][13]. - The project has been described as a "mini-package" that may only connect two random endpoints instead of the originally promised major cities, with current construction speeds suggesting it may never be completed [9][10]. Group 2: Historical Context and Political Dynamics - The project was initially announced in 2008 by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, aiming to connect major cities in California with a high-speed rail system covering 826.8 miles (approximately 1,287 kilometers) at speeds of 354 km/h [15]. - By 2019, the project was significantly downsized due to rising costs, with the estimated budget ballooning to $77.3 billion, leading to a revised plan that only connects a 275-kilometer segment [15][16]. - The political landscape shifted with the Biden administration, which restored nearly $1 billion in funding and opened new funding avenues, but the project still faces procurement issues and cost overruns, now estimated at $128 billion [16][17]. Group 3: Current Status and Future Outlook - Despite ongoing challenges, the California High-Speed Rail Authority remains committed to completing the project, with plans to allocate at least $1 billion annually from state funds over the next 20 years [17]. - The future of federal funding remains uncertain, and the project continues to grapple with public trust issues and cost management failures, leaving the realization of the "American high-speed rail dream" in question [17].