California is mercilessly mocked for ‘world’s most pointless crossing’ high-speed rail bridge that cost $11 BILLION
- The High Speed Rail Authority shared an update on the Fresno River Viaduct
- They were widely mocked when Elon Musk and Billy Markus burst in
California has been mercilessly mocked for boasting about completing the “world’s most pointless crossing” to nowhere at a cost of $11 billion.
The California High Speed Rail Authority shared an update on the Fresno River Viaduct in Madera County last week, proudly saying it was one of the “first completed high-speed rail structures.”
The tweet didn’t get the response officials were hoping for when Elon Musk and Dogecoin creator Billy Markus rushed in to mock the project.
The viaduct took nine years to build and cost taxpayers $11 billion as part of the state’s long-delayed super-rapid plan to connect San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Commenting on photos showing the bridge being just 450 meters long with both ends floating loose in the air, Markus tweeted: “This is the most remarkable human achievement ever.”
The California High Speed Rail Authority shared an update on the Fresno River Viaduct in Madera County last week
It took nine years to build and cost taxpayers $11 billion
He shared the rail authority’s tweet, adding, “After 9 years and $11 billion, it takes about 5 minutes to walk 1,600 feet, so a high-speed line for that is a really big deal.”
He added: “Wow, so impressive, I can’t wait until the year 2400 before this is done for $700 trillion.”
Musk then chimed in and added a crying face emoji.
The high-speed rail project has been plagued by delays and setbacks.
So far, $11 billion in taxpayer money has been poured into the plan that aims to connect Los Angeles with San Francisco.
The figure includes work on the controversial Fresno Bridge and a section running from Bakersfield to Merced, about 80 miles from the Bay Area.
It is estimated that another $100 billion will be needed to complete the project and connect San Francisco to Los Angeles, with many calling for the project to be scrapped.
The high-speed rail project has been plagued by delays and setbacks
The rail authority shared their update on the project: “The Fresno River Viaduct in Madera County is one of the first completed high-speed rail structures.
“At a length of almost 500 meters, high-speed trains will travel along the riverbed and run parallel to the BNSF railway.”
They included photos showing the short concrete bridge over a road before stopping abruptly in mid-air, with no connections at either end.
Venture capitalist Patrick Blumenthal responded, saying, “0.5 miles completed. After 15 years. After $11.2 BILLION. $36.96 billion per mile.”
Others suggested that the project will take so long to complete that “the high-speed rail will be completed on the moon before then.”