While California state officials project the tunnels for the state's bullet train will be finished by 2022 and the project will cost $68 billion, project documents and expert opinions say otherwise. Experts says the state has underestimated the challenges ahead, especially when it comes to the tunneling schedule.
The $68 billion budget is already more than double the $33 billion estimate voters approved seven years ago. A 2013 report from the state's main project management contractor Parsons Brinckerhoff estimated the cost of building just the first phase had risen 31% to $40 billion. The report projected the cost of the entire project would rise at least 5%.
Rail Authority Chief Executive Jeff Morales says he believes the costs can be reduced below the project $68 billion through applying the best construction and engineering methods in the world. He also says initial contract bids have come in below estimates.
