Congressman David Valadao has joined several of his colleagues in urging the Department of Transportation (DOT) to redirect $4 billion from the California High-Speed Rail project to other infrastructure needs across the state. In a letter addressed to DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, Valadao and eight other representatives expressed support for the Federal Railroad Administration’s decision to halt funding for the rail project.
Valadao criticized the rail authority’s handling of the project, stating, “It’s been over 10 years since the California High-Speed Rail Authority began construction, and after wasting billions of taxpayer dollars, missing numerous deadlines, and forcing the Central Valley to suffer due to neglect, they have zero miles of operational track to show for it.” He emphasized that resources should be focused on necessary infrastructure projects.
The representatives suggested reallocating funds to expand State Route 99 and several interstates including Interstate 15 and Interstate 5. They also recommended supporting repairs on farm-to-market roads, modifying a bridge on Interstate 5 for reservoir capacity improvements, improving a bypass on State Route 70, repairing roads damaged by wildfires in Los Angeles, and making infrastructure improvements needed for the upcoming 2028 Olympics.
The full letter is available for public viewing.
