U.S. pulls 175 mln dollars from California's high-speed rail projects

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Transportation Department said on Tuesday it is withdrawing 175 million U.S. dollars in funding for four projects related to California's High-Speed Rail.

The Trump administration said Tuesday it will cancel funding for grade separation, overcrossing, design work and to build a high-speed rail station in Madera.

"As of today, the American people are done investing in California's failed experiment," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. "The waste ends here. Instead, my Department will focus on making travel great again by investing in well-managed projects that can make projects like high-speed rail a reality."

Roughly 15 billion dollars have been spent on California's High-Speed Rail "boondoggle." California in July sued to challenge the withdrawal of funding, calling the decision illegal.

The rail system, which received voter approval for a 10 billion-dollar bond issue in 2008, has constructed more than 50 major structures, such as bridges, overpasses and viaducts. Enditem