In 2030 we might be able to ride between Bakersfield and Merced!

The entire system should have only cost around $28B if executed efficiently. But grift, politics, and contracting inefficiencies basically killed the project. Until the US reforms our civil engineering practices, we will continue to pay more and get less.

Right now, this corridor would struggle to attract 1800 passengers in each direction per day [using pre-pandemic numbers], representing about 2 full Eurostar class trains per day -- and that's assuming that the air routes between SEA-PDX-YVR are discontinued. That's not really enough demand for something that would cost $10B at China HSR prices, or something well over $100B at the probable US HSR pricing.

Would make a lot more sense to add dedicated bus lanes along the entire I-5 corridor to serve this market.