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By Theo Burman
Live News Reporter
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California Governor Gavin Newsom's office has hit out at the high-speed rail project in Texas, criticizing it for not making as much progress as the one in his state.
Since voters approved the California High-Speed Rail project in 2008, the state has pushed forward on a 494-mile route between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, authorities in Texas have proposed a 240-mile link between Dallas and Houston, though it has yet to begin construction.
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Newsweek has contacted Texas Central Partners for comment outside of normal working hours.
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Why It Matters
Both projects have faced criticism from local and federal opponents, particularly after President Donald Trump announced plans to cut federal funding.
"It's hundreds of billions of dollars for this stupid project that should have never been built. This government is not going to pay," Trump said earlier this week, referring to the California project.
Trump's first administration canceled nearly $1 billion in federal funds for California's project, before they were restored under former President Joe Biden.
What To Know
In a statement published on Wednesday, Newsom's office said that California's project left Texas' "in the dust," adding that the Dallas-Houston line was "a dream."
"What's the main difference between California high-speed rail and Texas high-speed rail? California's system is under construction; Texas' has yet to break ground," the statement read.
"California has transitioned from vision and ideas to active construction and tangible economic benefits, while the Texas project remains a dream mostly on paper.
"Despite the noise from Washington, California high-speed rail is becoming real. It's another critical project part of the Governor's build more, faster agenda delivering infrastructure upgrades and thousands of jobs across the state."
Newsom's office said that 171 miles of track are currently under active development in California; 119 miles are under active construction; 52 major structures are built; and extensions to Merced and Bakersfield are in design. This contrasts with Texas, where construction has not yet begun, the statement said.
It added that 463 miles of track out of a total of 494 have already cleared federal and state environmental reviews in California, while federal clearance is less comprehensive and transparent in Texas.
Meanwhile, the statement said that California will begin early high-speed rail operations between 2030 and 2033, while no date has yet been established in Texas.
A formal federal review, launched in February by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, is now examining whether the California project complies with funding requirements. Trump has repeatedly said that the project is a "green disaster" and a "waste."
Duffy also announced that an agreement to provide $63.9 million in federal funding for the Texas project had been scrapped, calling high-speed rail "a waste of taxpayer funds."
What People Are Saying
Newsom's spokesperson Daniel Villaseñor told Newsweek in response to Trump's criticism: "Hard pass on fiscal tips from the self-described 'King of Debt' who ran a steak company, a casino, and a global economy — all into the ground.
"With 50 major structures built, walking away now as we enter the track-laying phase would be reckless — wasting billions already invested and letting job-killers cede a generational infrastructure advantage to China."
What Happens Next
If federal funding is rescinded, California will face difficult decisions on whether to scale back or seek alternative financing to keep the project alive. For now, construction continues, but political and financial pressures are mounting.
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