California high-speed rail cost jumps to over $231 billion, prompting calls to scrap project.

California’s high-speed rail project, once projected to cost $33 billion, now faces an estimated price tag of over $231 billion, according to the state’s 2026 business plan. Lawmakers are calling for the project to be scrapped due to massive cost overruns and lack of progress, as federal funding was withdrawn and the focus shifted to a Central Valley segment. Despite efforts to attract private investment, critics argue the initiative is a fiscal failure and unlikely to survive future administrations.