{"id":69714,"date":"2025-01-06T21:21:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T05:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=69714"},"modified":"2025-01-06T21:21:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T05:21:33","slug":"governor-newsom-marks-new-track-laying-phase-of-high-speed-rail-with-completion-of-key-construction-and-continued-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=69714","title":{"rendered":"Governor Newsom marks new track-laying phase of high-speed rail with completion of key construction and continued partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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KERN COUNTY<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0California high-speed rail has officially entered a new phase that brings the start of passenger service one step closer to reality.<\/p>\n

Governor Gavin Newsom joined California High Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri, local leaders and workers just outside of Bakersfield today to break ground on the railhead, which is the first step to laying track. Governor Newsom, Choudri and local leaders marked the start of the railhead with a symbolic spike. They also celebrated the substantial completion of Construction Package 4 (CP 4) \u2013 the southernmost stretch of the initial operating line of high-speed rail.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cNo state in America is closer to launching high-speed rail than California \u2013 and today, we just took a massive step forward. We\u2019re moving into the track-laying phase, completing structures for key segments, and laying the groundwork for a high-speed rail network.<\/p>\n

The future of transportation is being realized right here in the Central Valley with thousands of good paying jobs already created and 171 miles being worked on. As only California can, we\u2019re building America\u2019s biggest infrastructure project.\u201d<\/h4>\n

\nGovernor\u00a0Gavin Newsom<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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In the last year, high-speed rail has marked significant progress \u2013 with historic funding from the Biden-Harris Administration, all environmental reviews spanning 463 miles from Los Angeles to the Bay Area complete, the electrification of Caltrain complete, trainset selection underway, station and track construction on deck, continued work with partner rail systems to create a southwest regional high-speed rail network, and more than 14,500 good paying jobs created. Passenger service is expected in the coming years, between 2030 and 2033. High speed rail is a key part of Governor Newsom\u2019s\u00a0build more, faster<\/a>\u00a0agenda delivering infrastructure upgrades and creating jobs throughout the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday we\u2019re recognizing the system\u2019s progress and looking ahead as we advance important partnerships and track work that moves us closer to operations while putting Californians to work,\u201d\u00a0said California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re committed to working collaboratively and ultimately developing a modern, interstate high-speed rail network that will not only boost ridership in the Southwest part of the country but bring to the forefront the possibility of delivering high-speed rail benefits sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Railhead kicks off track-laying work<\/h2>\n

Construction of the railhead is the first step to laying track and is necessary for high-speed rail to conduct track and overhead contact systems work. The railhead is a freight yard designed to receive materials and stage upcoming track-laying work. The work starts with a period of subgrade preparation, readying the site for the eventual laying of ballast ties and rail for the yard, effectively serving as a location to receive the materials required to build the high-speed rail track.<\/p>\n

171 miles of rail under development<\/h2>\n

Construction Package 4 (CP 4) \u2013 the segment highlighted today \u2013 is a 22-mile stretch of the high-speed rail project between Poplar Avenue in Wasco and approximately 1 mile south of the Kern\/Tulare County line. It is the southernmost section of the project currently under construction. This segment includes 11 civil structures including overpasses, underpasses, and viaducts built to take high-speed trains over roadways, waterways, and existing rail lines. All major civil works have been completed, and the segment is largely ready to lay track.<\/p>\n

Of the more than 14,500 jobs created since the start of the high-speed rail project, work in CP 4 generated more than 3,200 jobs that went to residents of the Central Valley, a majority going to workers in Kern County. These jobs are all good-paying union jobs, thanks to a strong partnership with the California State Building Trades.<\/p>\n

In California\u2019s Central Valley, there are more than 25 active construction sites.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh-Speed Rail represents a transformative opportunity for Fresno. It\u2019s not just about getting people where they need to go faster\u2014it\u2019s about connecting our community to the broader state and driving economic growth that will revitalize our downtown and beyond,\u201d\u00a0said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThis project is a bridge between the Bay Area, Southern California, and our vibrant Central Valley, creating new possibilities for our residents and businesses. Today, I\u2019m proud to celebrate a significant milestone. This achievement reflects years of hard work and vision, and I\u2019m eager to see the progress we will make in the next two years as we continue to shape Fresno\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Creating a western high-speed rail network<\/h2>\n

The High Speed Rail Authority, Brightline West, and High Desert Corridor are continuing to coordinate on design and operational issues to ultimately create an interoperable system that provides a path forward for a U.S. Southwest region high-speed rail network. This partnership paves the way for California\u2019s planned high-speed rail project to connect with Brightline West\u2019s planned Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed rail service.\u00a0Once fully built and interconnected, the three high-speed rail systems will pave the way for Californians to travel from Northern California through Central Valley to Southern California, as well as to Las Vegas.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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