1. Why is California’s high-speed rail such a groundbreaking effort?

2. Why will it take so long to complete the high-speed rail route?

1. California's high-speed rail is considered a groundbreaking effort for several reasons:

a) Scale: The proposed high-speed rail route in California aims to connect major cities with a 800-mile (1,287 km) rail network, making it one of the largest high-speed rail projects in the world.

b) Environmental impact: The project is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing a sustainable alternative to driving and flying. By offering a high-speed rail option, it encourages people to choose a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

c) Economic impact: The construction and operation of the high-speed rail project are expected to generate a significant number of jobs and boost the local economy in California. It promotes economic development along the rail route, creating new opportunities for businesses and tourism.

d) Transportation efficiency: High-speed rail has the potential to offer fast, reliable, and convenient travel options for commuters and travelers. By reducing travel times between major cities, it can alleviate congestion on highways and at airports, improving overall transportation efficiency.

2. The high-speed rail route in California will take a long time to complete due to several factors:

a) Complexity of the project: Developing an 800-mile rail network involves extensive planning, engineering, and environmental assessments. The project requires acquiring significant land rights, building bridges and tunnels, ensuring proper safety measures, and complying with various regulations and permits. The complexity of these tasks adds time to the project timeline.

b) Funding: Securing sufficient funding for such a massive infrastructure project is a major challenge. The high-speed rail project relies on a combination of federal, state, and private funding, which can often encounter delays and uncertainties. The availability and allocation of funds play a crucial role in the project's progress and can affect the timeline.

c) Legal challenges: Infrastructure projects of this magnitude often face legal challenges. The high-speed rail project in California has faced numerous legal disputes, including environmental lawsuits, land acquisition disputes, and opposition from various stakeholders. These legal battles can further delay the project.

d) Construction considerations: Building a high-speed rail network involves extensive construction activities, including laying tracks, erecting stations, and installing supporting infrastructure. Construction projects of this scale often encounter delays due to unforeseen circumstances like adverse weather conditions, labor disputes, or equipment shortages.

Overall, the combination of these factors contributes to the lengthy timeline for completing the high-speed rail route in California. It requires careful planning, coordination, and a proactive approach to overcome the challenges associated with such a groundbreaking endeavor.

I am not sure. Although it is a new technology here and CA will have the first one in the uSA it is hardly groundbreaking in Japan for example.

Money, legal challenges, mountains, obtaining rights of way......
http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2014/03/07/california-high-speed-rail-backers-optimistic-despite-challenges