Zócalo's Connecting California
Where dreams go to die
Some people in Merced had high hopes for the bullet train, but now the Central Valley city will just be the terminus of a train line to nowhere.
By Joe Mathews • • 5m ListenGovernor Gavin Newsom’s decision to dramatically scale back the state’s over-budget and long-delayed high-speed rail project is disappointing for bullet train backers. It’s also a chance for a giant ‘told you so,’ from detractors. Regardless of one’s personal opinion, Zocalo Public Square commentator Joe Mathews says the rail line’s failure should be discouraging news for all Californians. It shows that when it comes to really big projects, this state lacks the funding mechanisms and political will to get things done.