Thread by @CaHSRA

Hello fellow wonks!

As the year unspools ahead of us, we are dedicating this #WonkWednesday to bust 3 myths about this project, to explain where we’ve been, where we are & where we’re going. 🧵

(1/21)

TL;DR: There have been & remain challenges, detailed below.

But the promise of the US’ first 100% renewably powered, 200+ mph train is still the best mobility choice & CA’s aggressive climate goals.

We’re committed to getting there, transparently & collaboratively.

(2/21)

Much of the following was restated and emphasized in a presentation CEO Brian Kelly gave the Board of Directors last week to chart our course forward.

Read that presentation here: hsr.ca.gov/about/board-of…

(3/21)

Myth 1️⃣ : Full Funding

Fact: We have *NEVER* had all the funds in hand to complete the entire 500-mile Phase 1 System we’re designing between the SF Bay Area & the LA Basin and Anaheim, via the Central Valley.

(4/21)

Check the original bond bill (AB 3034), for which millions of Californians then voted. It was clear other funding would be necessary:

“Bond funds are intended to encourage the federal government and the private sector to make a significant contribution.”

(5/21)

So, this also means we’re constantly fighting for more funding.

Here’s CEO Kelly to the Board in November:

(6/21)

In 2021 CEO Kelly made it clear to a national audience on NBC how crucial a partner the federal government will be:

“Federal government played a key role building the interstate highway system in the 50’s, 60’s. We need that commitment to passenger rail.”

(7/21)

In fact, up until this point, more than 80% of this project’s cost has been carried by CA. The interstate highway system had the opposite ratio.

Additional federal investment in this transformative project will be needed to realize its promise in California and beyond.

(8/21)

Myth 2️⃣ : Inflation Free Costs

We continue to be transparent that building this mega project comprised of many tunnels, viaducts, bridges, trenches, and more takes time and money.

(9/21)

An original cost estimate from 2008 is often brought up.

But as you’ve heard us say: that cost estimate number did *not* account for inflation, and final alignment and environmental review/design was not complete on this long-term multi-year project.

(10/21)

It’d be a disservice to everyone to not leverage lessons learned & not factor in inflation or to use 2008 prices, as the cost of about everything has increased over the years.

And with enhanced scope and recent 40-year high inflation, our projected costs are impacted.

(11/21)

High-Speed Rail remains a value for California.

Thousands of lane miles & dozens of airport gates would need to be built (& maintained!), to match our people moving capacity.

We estimate those costs would be double ours.

Here’s our CEO to the Legislature in March:

(12/21)

Myth 3️⃣ : Completed Scope

We are going first for the whole US in building a system like this after all.

So, we’ve learned important lessons on refining scope & schedule—neither were complete when the project was initiated. These pieces inform cost estimates.

(13/21)

In many cases scope refinements mean cost impacts, but they also mean increased benefits for the communities through which we travel & with which we connect.

Here’s CEO Kelly saying the same to the Legislature in March of 2022:

(14/21)

Regarding scope refinements, as our CEO said on @RebuildSoCal’s podcast in May:

The scope issues “will be done before we get into the future construction contracts—and with that done a lot of the risk goes away.”

(15/21)

@RebuildSoCal So, how do we bust these myths? Our Project Update Report.

It’s a big deal—it charts the interdependency of all these factors for you, the public this system will serve. And it’s how we update the Leg. on progress made on their directives, esp. after last year’s budget.

(16/21)

@RebuildSoCal The document comes out next week, March 1, and it was summarized for the Board and the public by CEO Kelly last week.

It is the sum of our lessons learned and will update all the above. But it will do more than that too.

(17/21)

@RebuildSoCal It will also mark our:

☑️ Nearly completed environmental review;

☑️ 10,000 good paying construction jobs created;

☑️ Our collaboration with thousands of community members on our route & their stations;

☑️ 70,000+ job-years of employment due to this project; & more.

(18/21)

We know more today than ever. We’re better today than before. We’re going to keep carefully and consistently marching forward toward our sustainable transportation future.

(19/21)

And you know what, we’re not alone.

According to polling last year, California voters support this project *and* our building block process, 56% to 35%:

(20/21)

https://twitter.com/CaHSRA/status/1514676369455816718

As CEO Kelly said on @RebuildSoCal’s podcast last summer:

“Once we get to an operating segment—once Californians can get on an electrified high-speed train and experience it… I am confident the conversation will be: how did we ever live without this?”

(21/21)