Is there a more corrupt government endeavour than high speed rail, at any level, anywhere? Why are there no consequences for being billions of dollars off in your cost estimation?

Has there EVER been a government-related cost estimate that didn't go up? Ever? None I can think of.

The Space Shuttle, the Joint Strike Fighter (F-35), The Hubble Space Telescope, new aircraft carriers, new sky-scrapers, etc...virtually everything gets underbid. And the constant delays of years while they bicker drives costs up even more simply due to the constantly increasing cost of living.

Perhaps a law is required making estimators stick to their bids, and make up any extra costs themselves. You want to bet they won't be a little more accurate and not so generous in low-balling their estimates? I'll take that bet.

There's always a fix.