[parent5446]

tl;dr - Since in California all construction requires an absurd amount of licenses, approvals, environmental studies, etc., and because local residents can sue for almost anything, the cost has skyrocketed.

Isn't this what eminent domain was created for? Shouldn't California state have the ability to make things happen for its own rail projects?

[dmitrygr]

You'd feel differently if it was YOUR land being seized.

[atonse]

Seized but you are paid market value for it. That’s fair.

[conanbatt]

And whose taxes are being seized?

[parent5446]

I'm sure I would, and I'm not blaming the land owners for being angry or litigious. But it's the government's job to decide where the line is drawn and when your options run out.