Part 3/8:
The California Legislative Analyst's Office indicated that the area between Merced and Bakersfield, while reported to have multiple portions completed, could face much greater delays if the $7 billion shortfall isn’t resolved promptly. Many analysts and observers have likened this scenario to a child repeatedly asking for more money, only to need even more as the situation drags on. Without a defined plan for bridging this funding gap, there are growing fears that construction could grind to a halt within the next 15 months.