California Rail Chief Steps Down Before Vote: Choudri Resigns Amid Funding Losses
Ian Choudri resigned late Wednesday, hours before the board was set to vote on environmental clearance for the final leg of the state's high-speed rail project.
By Giulia Donovan ·
The head of California's high-speed rail project has left his post just hours before a scheduled decision on the route's final segment. Ian Choudri submitted his resignation late Wednesday, ending his tenure as the authority's chief executive. He assumed the role in 2024, a period marked by increased scrutiny of the project's management and finances.
The departure occurred during a period of financial strain for the authority. Under Choudri's leadership, the project lost billions of dollars in federal funding. Recently, the authority's inspector general released a report detailing wasteful spending by four consulting firms. The report cited hundreds of thousands of dollars in travel expenses, which included trips to an escape room and a cigar lounge.
Political pressure also mounted in the days leading up to the resignation. Xavier Becerra, a Democratic candidate for governor, told KCRA-3 in Sacramento that he would remove Choudri if elected. It is unclear whether this public statement influenced Choudri's decision to step down. Earlier this year, Choudri was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery. He took a voluntary leave of absence while the authority reviewed the situation and subsequently returned to work.
Choudri joins the project from HNTB Corp, an infrastructure design firm. He brings more than 30 years of experience in the transportation sector to the role. His departure leaves the authority without a permanent chief executive ahead of its next critical meeting.
The board was scheduled to meet shortly after the resignation announcement to consider environmental clearance for the 33-mile stretch from Anaheim to Los Angeles. This $8.8 billion section is the final part of the first phase requiring environmental approval. If the board votes in favor, the entire route from Anaheim to San Francisco will be cleared for construction, although most of the nearly 500-mile line remains unfunded.
Current construction is limited to a 119-mile portion in the Central Valley. No start date has been set for work on other sections of the line. The project is currently more than 30 years behind its original schedule and exceeds its initial budget by over $100 billion.
The newly cleared segment would run from Anaheim to Los Angeles Union Station. The route follows Highway 101 through Fullerton, Buena Park, La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Vernon, Commerce, Bell, and Montebello, as well as unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
