ms. fleming, he said the estimates would change as the project moves into construction. you have a way to predict future cost growth? rex -- >> no, i do not have a crystal ball on that regard but our bottom line is that the project is still in early stages and we would like to see some of the weaknesses that we have identified such as the authority to undergo a risk analysis that would help determine whether or not the estimate is too high, too low, and by how much. that would identify what the key risks are so policymakers and decision makers can try to mitigate those risks. we do not know if we did the number will change, obviously. the project scope will change. it will be refinements constantly to the cost as well as the ridership forecast. that is normal with this project. the authority is try to make the changes for the upcoming business plans. but the numbers will change. that test will help to determine the magnitude in terms of the risk and how to address that. >> mr. edward hamberger, what are some of the technological and logistical hurdles we will need to ove

ms. fleming come you explain the estimates will change as the project moves into construction but does that mean it's fair to say costs will increase? to have a way to predict future cost growth in projects like this? >> no. no, i don't have a crystal bar in that regard but i think our bottom line is that the project is still in the early stages, and we would like to see some of the weaknesses that we have identified, such as the authority to undergo a risk analysis that would help determine whether or not the estimate is too high, too low and by how much. that would also identify what the key risks are so policy makers and decision-makers can try to mitigate those risks. so at this point we don't know if, you know, the number will change obviously. scope will change. there will be refinements constantly to both the costs as was to the ridership forecast. that's normal with this project. the authority is trying to make those changes for each of the upcoming business plans. that the numbers will change. the tests will help trying to determine the magnitude in terms of the risks and how to ad

ms. susan fleming, director of physical infrastructure, government accountability office, gao. and where also privilege of as a witness the honorable paula hammond, secretary of transportation, washington state chair of aashto, and leadership group within aashto, high-speed rail. and she chairs the states for passenger rail coalition, and distinguished mr. edward hamberger who is president and ceo of association of american railroads. and, finally, honorable and schneider, secretary of transportation for the state of illinois. like to welcome all of you. i'll tell you we appreciate your patience, as you can do. we've had some lively discussion today. there is a lot of interest in passenger rail service, intercity and high speed. we look forward to your contribution. if you have a lengthy statement that extends beyond five minutes, without objection it will all be considered as part of the record, and included in the record. we welcome you, and we will now begin and we will start with mr. behm who is the inspector general for rail, maritime, and economic analysis of the departme