> For comparison, China build the Qinhuangdao–Shenyang line in 4 years (approx half the SF->LA distance). The cost was $1.9B, which is less than what California

> For comparison, China build the Qinhuangdao–Shenyang line in 4 years (approx half the SF->LA distance). The cost was $1.9B, which is less than what California has already spent. In looking at a relief map, the terrain between Qinhuangdao and Shenyang is flat, or mostly so. Los Angeles is surrounded by mountains. The easiest route between LA & Bakersfield requires traversing a mountain range where the pass elevation is 4000+ feet. In itself that wouldn't be bad (e.g. out east to Riverside and Palm Springs the elevation change is similar), but Grapevine is also twisty as all get out. The Central Valley portion isn't too bad, but then you've still got to get over the southern coast range that separates the Central Valley from the Bay Area. On top of that, you have to do it in an environment where all the easiest routes are already taken by the rich and powerful and you're building on/near/around a major earthquake fault that regularly sees large earthquakes.