SAN JOSE, Calif. — Backers of California’s beleaguered High Speed Rail project haven’t had much to cheer about with costs soaring and service scaled back, but a poll out Thursday shows a solid majority of voters still want to press ahead and finish the job.
The Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll found that 56% of registered voters want the state to continue building the HSR project, though support divides sharply along partisan lines, with 73% of Democrats, 25% of Republicans and 54% of those with no party preference in favor.
“We tried to present the issue as it is now,” said Mark DiCamillo, director of the poll, which noted the rising costs, timeline and pared back service in its question to voters. “In that setting, voters say let’s continue on with it.”
