The report says the anticipated cost of building the 192km Madera - Bakersfield section in the central San Joaquin Valley is set to rise by more than a third to around $US 10.6bn, up from the authority’s 2016 estimate of $US 7.8 bn.
According to local media reports, ongoing problems in land acquisition account for around $US 725m in additional costs, with CHSRA buying more land than originally anticipated and paying more-than-forecast for individual properties.
Construction delays account for around $US 325m, with a further $US 450m for “intrusion barriers” to separate the high-speed tracks from adjacent freight lines. Additional costs of $US 600m will be incurred through agreements with outside agencies including utility companies, cities, and counties.
The remaining $US 1bn is now forecast for other items, including the increased cost of track construction and operating systems.
