$3k per inch train tracks expose government corruption in California

Many people believe that the most trustworthy guardian of the economy is government, but even in the most public of government projects this facade is quickly worn down.

In a costly example of government spending run amok, the much-lauded Bay Area to Los Angeles high-speed rail tracks pushed by the money hungry state California are expected to cost $100 billion in total. For the planned 500 miles of track this comes out to $3000 per linear inch or $200 million per mile.

Reference from the project website: http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/assets/0/152/198/f7ba34bb-9822-4ed8-9f8c-d85a5a634994.pdf

The project will be funded by a combination of sources: local and federal tax payers who have no right to refuse surrendering thier money; future generations of holders of the dollar who will have to deal with the unpaid for debt; and treasury bond purchasers in the event of a default. Because this was partially funded by Barack Obama's stimulus package, all United States tax payers are paying for a portion of this project.

Further escallating the situation are suggestions that the project may be abandoned halfway through, at which point over $60 billion will have already been spent on this railway to no-where. Even if the project stays on schedule, it will not be completed until 2028. $125 train tickets will have to compete with $60 express jetliner tickets.

While investigations into corruption in the contracting process are underway, the project continues. Although the popularity of the project has plummeted in California, with 60% disapproving in latest polling, a large portion of the expenditure has been appropriated. In 16 years when the bullet train is slated to be fully operational, what will be its legacy?