[kakwa_]

I'm a quite puzzled by the cost. I'm still scratching my head as to why it's so expensive. In France or Spain, countries with similar population density but arguably less difficult terrain (Spain terrain is not so nice actually), the cost per km of a highs speed railway is around 20M$, with a very difficult terrain, Italy or Japan, with denser populations and difficult terrains, manage a cost of around 40 to 50M$.

With the Californian project, the cost is nearly 80M$, and it's only the budgeted cost, not the cost after all the inevitable delay and unforeseen spending.

As someone living in France, I've no idea as to what can explain this x2 or even x4 in cost. Is there a rational explanation?

[nextos]

Spain terrain is actually a total nightmare, despite the cliché. In Europe, only Switzerland is on average (much) harder.

But Spain has also areas that are even worse than Switzerland, where high speed train is being deployed. And Spanish companies have built the Mecca - Medina line, which is a little engineering marvel.

[dragonwriter]

CA HSR cost estimates aren't real (inflation adjusted) dollars, or current prices, its year of construction dollars. So future nominal price inflation over the anticipated timeline is built into the cost figures, as are future real increases including of right-of-way acquisition in places where that will be necessary which have increasing real estate values.