I just saw a blurb that they've just finished pouring the last foundation for the overhead catenary system.

Currently half of the work going on right now is grade separation that includes both the future high speed rail line and the current freight rail line. So there is some method to their madness. The grade separation provides immediate benefits.

Lot of info linked here https://www.buildhsr.com/

the fact that there's still freight on the Peninsula is another problem.

The people that live on the peninsula are a problem. They should have run the high speed rail up the east side of the bay then under the bay to SF.

There are many CAHSR related problems.