August 31, 2025 - The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) reports on August 26, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) withdrew funding for four projects related to California’s High-Speed Rail project:

• Le Grand Overcrossing Project on the Merced Extension (CHSRA; $89,645,961)  

• Southern San Jose Grade Separations (Monterey Rd) (City of San Jose; $7,500,000)  

• DTX Final Design for Track and Rail Systems Project (Transbay Joint Powers Authority; $24,655,000)  

• Madera High-Speed Rail Station Project (California Department of Transportation; $54,530,000) 

DOT states that this move will save the American people approximately $175 million in federal dollars.

Previously in July, Secretary Duffy announced that the FRA would terminate $4 billion in FRA grant funding to the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) after an extensive, 315-page report noting serious issues with the project, including that CHSRA would not complete the Merced to Bakersfield line by 2033.

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ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-seven member county strong service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Source: RCRC